Make Michigan a "right-to-work" state: Passed 58 to 52 in the House To prohibit employers from enforcing a union contract provision that compels employees to join or financially support a union as a condition of employment. The bill also includes a $1 million appropriation to make it "referendum-proof." All Democrats voted "no" and all Republicans voted "yes" except for Reps. Forlini, Goike, Horn, McBroom, Somerville and Zorn.

, Make Michigan a "right-to-work" state: Passed 22 to 16 in the Senate The Senate vote on the same "right-to-work" measure described above. All Democrats voted "no" and all Republicans voted "yes" except for Sens. Casperson, Green, Nofs and Rocca.

, Extend "right-to-work" to government and school employees: Passed 22 to 4 in the Senate To prohibit Michigan governments and schools from enforcing a union contract provision that compels employees to join or financially support a union as a condition of employment.

, Subsidize new Red Wings Stadium: Passed 27 to 11 in the Senate To allow property tax revenue "captured" by the Detroit "Downtown Development Authority" to pay the debt on money borrowed to provide taxpayer subsidies for a particular developer's new sports stadium and associated projects (Mike Ilitch). The bill would also exempt DDAs from property and other taxes, and revise details of public officials' appointments to DDA boards.

, Create Detroit streetlight authority: Passed 25 to 13 in the Senate To authorize a Detroit streetlight authority with the power to borrow money to restore the city's streetlights, 70 percent of which are reportedly out. The bill requires passage of House Bill 5705, which would let Detroit earmark current utility tax revenue to pay off the new debt, and Senate Bill 970, which would suspend a required city income tax reduction until the new debt is paid off. It also allows Detroit's city unions to bargain for the unionization of the authority's employees.

, Create Detroit regional mass transit authority: Passed 57 to 50 in the House To create a new Detroit area regional transportation authority covering Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties, and potentially others. Among other powers, the authority could levy property taxes (special assessments) and higher local vehicle registration taxes if approved by a majority of voters in the region, meaning a particular community could not opt out of the tax increase. The authority would be specifically authorized to create rolling rapid transit corridors along some streets and highways, potentially with dedicated lanes that other motorists could not use. It would be run by a board appointed by the counties and the City of Detroit.

, Authorize Detroit regional transit vehicle registration tax: Passed 57 to 50 in the House To give the regional transit authority proposed by Senate Bill 909 (above) the power to impose a higher vehicle registration tax in the region to pay for buses and other public transportation. A vote of the people would be required, but if approved region-wide the tax would still be imposed on individual communities that vote against it (no local "opt-out").

, Ban abortion coverage from "Obamacare exchange: Passed 27 to 11 in the Senate To prohibit health insurance acquired (and subsidized) through an exchange created under the federal health care law from including coverage for elective abortion.

, Give county officials power to halt recall as "non-factual": Passed 65 to 43 in the House To require county election commissions to determine whether the reasons for a recall petition are stated both "factually and clearly." Under current law, they must simply determine whether the recall language is clear. Note: This may violate Article 8, Section 8 of Michigan's constitution, which asserts that recallers don't have to justify their reasons, but only make them clear.

, Require parental permission to place student with "ineffective" teacher: Passed 60 to 49 in the House To require a public school district to get the written consent of a parent or guardian before placing a child in a classroom with a teacher who is rated ineffective under a new state rating system.

Authorize essential services tax on industrial plants: Passed 57 to 52 in the House To give local governments the power to impose targeted property taxes on industrial and commercial property deemed by the bill to be especially benefited by fire, police and ambulance services. This would replace some of the revenue from proposed reductions in the property tax imposed on business tools and equipment ("personal property tax").

, Repeal BCBS tax exemption, regulate like other insurers: Passed 61 to 49 in the House To convert Blue Cross Blue Shield into a nonprofit mutual insurance company (technically "owned" by the policy holders), make it subject to the same regulations as regular health insurers, and no longer exempt BCBS from state and local taxes.

, Give special treatment to firms submitting to environmental leader process: Passed 65 to 43 in the House To give certain businesses special treatment in awarding state contracts, eligibility for government subsidies, environmental permit and inspection mandates, and more, if the firm submits itself to a government environmental leader designation process. This would require a company to demonstrate that it has no outstanding permit violations or serious past ones, adopt certain practices not required by law, submit to certain additional reporting mandates, participate in workshops, etc.

But the voters need to replace the RINOs who voted with the RATS! These people need to understand the consequences of violating the basic principles of Conservatism. It’s the only way to win back our country.

Note: Due to lengthy House and Senate sessions, some votes from this week will be included in the next Roll Call Report.

, Make Michigan a “right-to-work” state: Passed 58 to 52 in the House
To prohibit employers from enforcing a union contract provision that compels workers to join or financially support a union as a condition of employment. The bill also includes a $1 million appropriation to make it “referendum-proof.” All Democrats voted “no” and all Republicans voted “yes” except for Reps. Forlini, Goike, Horn, McBroom, Somerville and Zorn. This vote sent the bill to the Governor to sign, which he did the same day.

, Extend “right-to-work” law to government and school employees: Passed 58 to 51 in the House
To prohibit Michigan governments and schools from enforcing a union contract provision that compels employees to join or financially support a union as a condition of employment, except for police and firefighters, who could still be dismissed for failing to pay union dues or fees. This vote sent the bill to the Governor to sign, which he did the same day.

, Replace repealed “Emergency Manager” law: Passed 63 to 46 in the House
To replace the Emergency Manager law passed in 2011 and repealed by a statewide referendum with a new law, which will give fiscally-failed cities or school districts a choice of either entering a reform plan consent agreement with the state, entering mediation to create such a plan, being allowed to declare bankruptcy in federal court, or having an emergency manager appointed with powers similar to those that triggered the union-sponsored referendum (to invalidate unaffordable or unsustainable government union contract provisions). The replacement also adds a public information meeting requirement to the process; specifies procedures and conditions for exiting the financial emergency; explicitly gives a school EM authority over academic matters; and contains a modest appropriation that makes it “referendum-proof.”

, Impose more abortion facility regulations: Passed 27 to 10 in the Senate
To impose more rigorous state regulations on abortion clinics, including expanded licensure and inspection regimes. Also, to require abortion providers to screen women to ensure they are not being intimidated into having an abortion; prohibit “telemedicine” remote doctor exams to prescribe “morning after pill” abortions; establish that the remains of an aborted fetus are subject to the same laws that apply to the disposition of dead bodies of humans who have been born; and more.

, Authorize essential services tax on industrial plants: Passed 23 to 14 in the Senate
To give local governments the power to impose targeted property taxes on industrial and commercial property deemed by the bill to be especially benefited by fire, police and ambulance services. This would replace some of the revenue from proposed reductions in the property tax imposed on business tools and equipment (”personal property tax”).

5
posted on 12/19/2012 8:02:23 AM PST
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

Senate Bill 1360, Extend deadline on school employee pension reform choices: Passed 26 to 12 in the Senate To extend from October 26, 2012 to January 9, 2013, the deadline for public school employees to choose whether to contribute more toward the cost of their defined benefit pensions or else accept a slightly less generous benefit calculation formula, as required by a recently-passed pension reform law.

Senate Bill 909, Create Detroit regional mass transit authority: Passed 24 to 14 in the Senate To create a new Detroit area regional transportation authority covering Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties, and potentially others. Among other powers, the authority could levy property taxes (special assessments) and higher local vehicle registration taxes if approved by a majority of voters in the region, meaning a particular community could not opt out of the tax increase. The authority would be specifically authorized to create rolling rapid transit corridors along some streets and highways, potentially with dedicated lanes that other motorists could not use. It would be run by a board appointed by the counties and the City of Detroit.

Senate Bill 1021, Increase state property tax payments to locals: Passed 25 to 13 in the Senate To increase from $2 per acre to $4 per acre the amount the state pays to local governments as payment in lieu of (property) taxes (PILT) on state-owned land in their jurisdictions, and index the amount to inflation going forward.

Senate Bill 1240, Extend lawsuit liability waivers to certain social services agencies: Passed 25 to 13 in the Senate To give social services agencies licensed to oversee child adoptions, foster care and other child care issues immunity from liability for personal injury or property damage caused by the agency’s provision of services, except for gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Senate Bill 402, Authorize physician impaired driver reports: Passed 56 to 52 in the House To establish that while a physician has no affirmative obligation to report to the state or a third party any concerns about person’s mental and physical qualifications to safely operate a motor vehicle, he or she may do so, and in such a report should recommend a license suspension of six months or more. The bill establishes that the physician has no liability for either making or not making such a report.

House Bill 5805, Exempt health care sharing ministries from insurance regulations: Passed 77 to 30 in the House To establish that health care sharing ministries are not subject to state insurance regulations. These are an alternative to insurance, and facilitate voluntary health care cost sharing arrangements among people of similar and sincerely held religious beliefs.

House Bill 5261, Allow more school retiree double dipping: Passed 105 to 1 in the House To allow a former school employee to work as a substitute teacher or coach in the district he or she “retired” from and still collect a pension in addition to the substitute or coaching pay. This would also apply if the “retiree” was employed by private firm under contract to provide substitute teachers.

House Bill 5881, Allow pension “double-dipping” by some retired prison workers: Passed 58 to 48 in the House on November 29, 2012 To allow retired prison employees to simultaneously collect pension benefits and a paycheck for going back to work in a prison, if the person is paid on a per-diem basis for a limited term, with no (additional) benefits, and for less than 1,040 hours annually (the equivalent of 26 40-hour weeks).

House Bill 6008, blish new non-ferrous mine taxation regime: Passed 62 to 45 in the House To revise the taxation of non-ferrous mines (including new copper and other mineral mines in the Upper Peninsula). The bill is part of a package that would exempt these mines from property, income, sales and use taxes, and instead levy a severance tax based on the amount of material extracted. Various credits would be allowed against pre-operational start-up costs, including regulatory compliance costs. Most of the tax revenue would go to the local government, but some would go to a new state rural development fund.

10
posted on 12/29/2012 1:16:43 PM PST
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

Senate Bill 1276, Restrict setting aside state land for biological diversity: Passed 26 to 11 in the Senate
To prohibit the Department of Natural Resources from designating an area of land specifically for the purpose of achieving biological diversity.

Senate Bill 1238, Revise state land acquisition procedures: Passed 26 to 11 in the Senate
To revise the procedures and criteria for the acquisition by the state of property paid for with Natural Resources Trust Fund money. Among other things, the bill would impose term limits on members of the NRTC board, require more transparency in its property selection process, and ban sales if the seller was harassed, intimidated, or coerced by the Department of Natural Resources, a local government, or a qualified conservation organization.

Senate Bill 1051, Ban school board voting with conflict of interest: Passed 31 to 6 in the Senate
To prohibit school board members from voting on union and other contracts if a family member has an interest in a contract or works for the school district, including a spouse, child, parent, sibling, nephew or niece, etc. A board member having a child in a district school would not trigger this restriction.

Senate Bill 1051, Young amendment to Senate Bill 1051: Failed 17 to 20 in the Senate
To extend the school board conflict of interest restrictions proposed by Senate Bill 1051 (above) to include emergency financial managers appointed by the state to manage fiscally failed school districts.

Senate Bill 1132, Revise adult adoption detail: Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate
To allow an individual married person to adopt an adult without the spouse also petitioning for this, or if there is an objection, then with a courts permission. This might be done for purposes of inheritance. The bill makes an exception to the current requirement that both spouses must petition for this.

Senate Bill 1335, Increase threshold to impose new government workplace safety rules: Passed 25 to 12 in the Senate
To require the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to not just assert that there is a clear and convincing need to impose on employers a new occupational health and safety regulation that exceeds federal standards, but to actually provide a statement of the specific facts used to support the assertion, and show the rule was requested by a broad consensus of employers and employees in an affected industry.

House Bill 5804, Establish statewide indigent criminal defense standards: Passed 71 to 36 in the House
To create a state commission to establish statewide standards and accountability measures for court-appointed attorneys who represent indigent criminal defendants, and a new government office to implement and enforce these statewide. Local governments would be responsible for funding this at current levels (maintenance of effort), with the state paying for any additional spending required by new standards, unless the local spending is below minimum levels to be determined by the proposed commission.

11
posted on 12/29/2012 1:17:20 PM PST
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

House Resolution 1: Adopt House rules, select Speaker
The motion passed 107 to 2 in the House on January 9, 2013, to select Rep. Jase Bolger, R-Marshall, as Speaker of the House for the 2013-2014 legislative session.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at

House Bill 4007: Declare tart cherry to be the official state fruit
Introduced by Rep. Dian Slavens (D) on January 9, 2013, to establish that henceforth, as a matter of law and statute, the tart cherry (Prunus cerasus), and no other cherry, shall be the official Michigan state fruit.

Since there were no votes, this weeks report contains several newly introduced bills of interest.

House Bill 4001: Cap open records law charges and increase government scofflaw penalties
Introduced by Rep. Mike Shirkey (R) on January 9, 2013, to cap at 10-cents the per copy charge imposed by a government entity for documents provided under a state Freedom of Information Act request, and require that they permit and not charge a fee for a FOIA requestors making copies with his or her own equipment during an on-site records inspection authorized by this law. Also, to reduce the amount charged by a government entity for FOIA-related administrative and copying costs by 20 percent for each day its response exceeds the five-day statutory deadline (plus specified extensions), and increase the punitive awards to a person who successfully challenges an improper FOIA denial from $500 to $5,000, plus actual or compensatory damages. Referral to committee pending, no further action at this time.

House Bill 4004: Authorize new specialty plate; give profits to particular nonprofit
Introduced by Rep. Dian Slavens (D) on January 9, 2013, to authorize a new specialty license plate, with the profits delivered to a government-funded social services agency called Early On. Referral to committee pending, no further action at this time.

House Bill 4005: Authorize state child care subsidies and tax breaks
Introduced by Rep. Dian Slavens (D) on January 9, 2013, to authorize a refundable state income tax credit (essentially a cash subsidy in many cases) that would be a percentage of a federal income tax child care credit the individual can claim, with the percentage means tested on the basis of gross income (ranging from 110 percent for households with less than $25,000 income to 20 percent for those between $65,000 and $100,000). Referral to committee pending, no further action at this time.

House Bill 4007: Declare tart cherry to be the official state fruit
Introduced by Rep. Dian Slavens (D) on January 9, 2013, to establish that henceforth, as a matter of law and statute, the tart cherry (Prunus cerasus), and no other cherry, shall be the official Michigan state fruit. Referral to committee pending, no further action at this time.

Senate Bill 10: Require paid petition circulator disclosures
Introduced by Sen. Tory Rocca (R) on January 16, 2013, to require that if an initiative or referendum ballot issue petition campaign uses paid petition circulators, the name of the organization providing the compensation for the circulators must be disclosed on the face of the petitions. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

Senate Bill 13: Replace diesel and gas tax with higher sales tax
Introduced by Sen. Howard Walker (R) on January 16, 2013, to repeal the state gas and diesel taxes, and replace them with a 1 percent sales tax increase that would be earmarked to roads. This would require a vote of the people. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

Senate Bill 41: Ban Obamacare Medicaid expansion
Introduced by Sen. Bruce Caswell (R) on January 16, 2013, to prohibit Michigan from expanding Medicaid eligibility to include all residents up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level, including single individuals without children. The federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. Obamacare, originally mandated the expansion, but a U.S. Supreme Court ruling made it optional. Medicaid is a medical welfare program funded by a mix of tax dollars raised by the federal and state governments, and originally targeted primarily at low income families with children. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

Senate Bill 49: Make government firearms ownership databases non-public information
Introduced by Sen. Tom Casperson (R) on January 16, 2013, to establish that state databases containing information on licenses issued to individuals to purchase, carry, possess, or transport pistols are confidential and not subject to disclosure under the state Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The bill was introduced after a New York newspaper published the names and addresses of gun owners it acquired from a state database (since then New York has also banned releasing this information). Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

13
posted on 01/19/2013 4:58:48 AM PST
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

Senate Bill 1: Define independent contractor vs. employee
Introduced by Sen. Randy Richardville (R) on January 16, 2013, to adopt in Michigan statute a federal 20 factor test for what defines an employee vs. an independent contractor. Employers are liable for income tax withholding and payment of various payroll taxes imposed on the basis of the number of employees, but are not liable for levies imposed on independent contractors.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151308

Senate Bill 3: Revise insurance retaliatory tax detail
Introduced by Sen. Mark Jansen (R) on January 16, 2013, to revise details of a law that authorizes retaliatory taxes on insurance companies based in other states where those states impose extra taxes or other burdens on Michigan-based insurers.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151310

Senate Bill 4: Revise chiropractor insurance reimbursement detail
Introduced by Sen. Mark Jansen (R) on January 16, 2013, to mandate that prudent purchaser agreement type health insurance plans which cover chiropractic services must cover the full range of such services currently allowed by state law, not just those allowed by an earlier law.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151311

Senate Bill 5: Authorize license plate revenue for Calvin College alumni association
Introduced by Sen. Mark Jansen (R) on January 16, 2013, to authorize a new Calvin College specialty license plate, with the profits delivered to the Calvin College alumni association..http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151078

Senate Bill 6: Earmark some sales tax revenue to roads
Introduced by Sen. John Proos, IV (R) on January 16, 2013, to continue on an annual basis a one-time earmark of $100 million in state sales tax revenue that was previously authorized for the current fiscal year.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151312

Senate Bill 7: Revise certain government notice publications in newspapers
Introduced by Sen. Tory Rocca (R) on January 16, 2013, to revise references to the definition of newspaper in the state Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, to reflect the proposal in Senate Bill 8 to include certain websites in that definition.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151313

Senate Bill 8: Revise certain government notice publications in newspapers
Introduced by Sen. Tory Rocca (R) on January 16, 2013, to revise state laws that require certain legal or procedural notices to be published in a newspaper, so as to instead allow the notices to be published on a web site under certain circumstances. This bill changes the definition of newspaper to include websites that meet certain requirements, such as producing an archivable hard copy of the issues with notices.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151314

Senate Bill 9: Give state PSC oversight over city water/sewer systems
Introduced by Sen. Tory Rocca (R) on January 16, 2013, to extend the jurisdiction of the state Public Service Commission to include regulating the operations of municipal water and sewer systems..http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151315

Senate Bill 10: Require paid petition circulator disclosures
Introduced by Sen. Tory Rocca (R) on January 16, 2013, to require that if an initiative or referendum ballot issue petition campaign uses paid petition circulators, the name of the organization providing the compensation for the circulators must be disclosed on the face of the petitions..http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151079

Senate Bill 11: Revise SEV formula
Introduced by Sen. Tory Rocca (R) on January 16, 2013, to establish that the actual sale price of real estate when property is sold shall be presumed to be the “true cash value” for purposes of determining the state equalized and taxable values upon which future property taxes are levied. Under current law, tax assessors are required to determine a value for the property using the same valuation method that has been used to value all other property of the same classification in the jurisdiction.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151316

Senate Bill 12: Revise chiropractor insurance reimbursement detail
Introduced by Sen. Mark Jansen (R) on January 16, 2013, to mandate that a health insurance policy which covers chiropractic services must cover the full range of such services currently allowed by state law, not just those allowed by an earlier law.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151317

Senate Bill 13: Replace diesel and gas tax with higher sales tax
Introduced by Sen. Howard Walker (R) on January 16, 2013, to repeal the state motor fuel carrier tax (diesel tax), and replace it with a 1 percent sales tax increase that would be earmarked to roads. This bill is the repealer, and cannot become law unless Senate Joint Resolution N also does, which contains the sales tax hike, and would require a vote of the people.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151080

Senate Bill 14: Replace gas tax with higher sales tax
Introduced by Sen. Howard Walker (R) on January 16, 2013, to repeal the state motor fuel tax (gas tax), and replace it with a 1 percent sales tax increase that would be earmarked to roads. This bill is the repealer, and cannot become law unless House Joint Resolution A also does, which contains the sales tax hike, and would require a vote of the people.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151318

Senate Bill 16: Authorize wildlife violation compact enforcement
Introduced by Sen. Howard Walker (R) on January 16, 2013, to require and establish procedures for the Department of Natural Resources to enforce the terms of a multi-state Wildlife Violator Compact, including suspending the hunting and fishing privileges of a person who was suspended by another member state for violations there; and also authorize the department to either withdraw from the compact or adopt amendments under the compacts provisions for doing so.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151320

Senate Bill 18: Create Medicaid inspector general office
Introduced by Sen. Roger Kahn (R) on January 16, 2013, to create a state Medicaid inspector general office to investigate waste, fraud and abuse in the distribution of low income government health care benefits, subsidies and provider reimbursements.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151322

Senate Bill 19: Revise mortgage licensure law detail
Introduced by Sen. Darwin Booher (R) on January 16, 2013, to revise details of the selection of representatives of the mortgage industry for a government mortgage industry advisory board that oversees state licensure regulations imposed on individuals and firms in this industry.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151323

Senate Bill 20: Require more hazmat licensee disclosures
Introduced by Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D) on January 16, 2013, to require a person who is required to have a state license to build, manage or operate a hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facility to disclose any past environmental-law related criminal convictions.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151324

Senate Bill 21: Increase historical building DDA restrictions
Introduced by Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D) on January 16, 2013, to require a downtown development authority that wants to make exterior changes to a property it owns which is on the state or national register of historic sites to get the changes approved by the state historic preservation office.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151325

Senate Bill 22: Codify state historic preservation office
Introduced by Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D) on January 16, 2013, to formalize in statute a state historic preservation office created by former Gov. Jennifer Granholm in an executive order. Among other things the office would have power to disapprove exterior changes to certain structures on the state or national register of historic sites.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151326

Senate Bill 23: Restrict diesel idling
Introduced by Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D) on January 16, 2013, to prohibit heavy diesel trucks (over 8,500 pounds) from idling more than five minutes within a one hour period, or 15 minutes for loaded buses (or 30 minutes for ones waiting to unload), with certain exceptions, subject to fines of up to $500. Rather than the fine revenue going to public libraries as in other traffic violation laws (intended to prevent local governments and police agencies from using enforcement to raise revenue), it would instead go to local governments.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151327

Senate Bill 24: Restrict diesel idling
Introduced by Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D) on January 16, 2013, to revise details of the law authorizing local parking violations to conform to the penalties proposed by Senate Bill 23 for extended diesel idling.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151328

Senate Bill 25: Revise principal residence property tax exemption appeal detail
Introduced by Sen. Dave Hildenbrand (R) on January 16, 2013, to revise details of the process for appealing the absence of a principal residence property tax exemption in a tax year more than three years prior to the appeal.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151329

Senate Bill 26: Revise invasive plant ban detail
Introduced by Sen. Dave Hildenbrand (R) on January 16, 2013, to establish that the state Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development may not order a ban or restriction on an invasive plant species unless it first consults with a Michigan Invasive Plant Council.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151330

Senate Bill 27: Authorize refillable beer container sales
Introduced by Sen. Dave Hildenbrand (R) on January 16, 2013, to allow merchants licensed to sell beer and wine for consumption off-premises, and bars or restaurants licensed to sell all legal forms of alcohol, to refill clearly labeled growlers (sealable containers of up to one gallon) with beer for consumption off-premises.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151331

Senate Bill 29: Mandate bittering agents in antifreeze
Introduced by Sen. Steve Bieda (D) on January 16, 2013, to mandate that antifreeze engine coolant sold at retail in Michigan must have a bittering agent added to make it unpalatable to children, dogs and other animals (who are attracted by the sweet taste of antifreeze, a deadly poison).http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151334

Senate Bill 30: Increase former legislator health benefit copay
Introduced by Sen. Rick Jones (R) on January 16, 2013, to require lawmakers who have been granted post-retirement health insurance benefits (which start at age 55) to pay 20 percent of the cost of this, up from the current 10 percent copay. This benefit was recently terminated on a prospective basis, but 36 out of 38 Senators and a handful of current House members were exempted and will still receive the benefit when they leave office.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151335

Senate Bill 31: Revise regulation of trusts detail
Introduced by Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R) on January 16, 2013, to establish that a trustee of a trust has an insurable interest in the life of an individual insured under a life insurance policy owned by the trustee acting in a fiduciary capacity for the trust, given certain conditions specified in the bill.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151336

Senate Bill 32: Revise regulation of trusts detail
Introduced by Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R) on January 16, 2013, to establish that a trustee of a trust has an insurable interest in the life of an individual insured under a life insurance policy owned by the trustee acting in a fiduciary capacity for the trust, given certain conditions specified in the bill.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151337

Senate Bill 33: Require political robocall disclosures
Introduced by Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R) on January 16, 2013, to require automated phone calls (robocalls) used by political campaigns disclose the identity of the person paying for the call and whether it is authorized by a candidate, with violations a misdemeanor subject to a $1,000 fine..http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151338

Senate Bill 34: Revise vehicle loan “guaranteed asset protection waivers”
Introduced by Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R) on January 16, 2013, to revise a law authorizing vehicle loan “guaranteed asset protection waivers” (where a borrower pays extra for the lender to cancel or waive the amount owed on a car loan if the vehicle is wrecked or stolen), so as to allow them to also cover the death or disability of the borrower.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151339

Senate Bill 35: Authorize penalties for nonpayment of administrative hearing bureau fines
Introduced by Sen. Steve Bieda (D) on January 16, 2013, to authorize penalties for failing to pay fines imposed by administrative hearing bureaus that cities in Wayne County are allowed to create for enforcing “blight violations” outside of clogged district courts (see 2003 House Bill 213, signed into law as Public Act 316 of 2003). The bill would authorize additional delinquency fines of $500 on top of the regular fines imposed by a bureau on property owners that exceed $1,000.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151340

Senate Bill 36: Authorize penalties for nonpayment of administrative hearing bureau fines
Introduced by Sen. Bert Johnson (D) on January 16, 2013, to allow a local government to ban giving an approval required under a local zoning ordinance to a property owner who has failed to pay fines imposed by administrative hearing bureaus that cities in Wayne County are allowed to create for enforcing “blight violations” outside of clogged district courts (see 2003 House Bill 213, signed into law as Public Act 316 of 2003)..http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151341

Senate Bill 37: Authorize penalties for nonpayment of administrative hearing bureau fines
Introduced by Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R) on January 16, 2013, to allow a local government to ban giving an approval required under a building code ordinance to a property owner who has failed to pay fines imposed by administrative hearing bureaus that cities in Wayne County are allowed to create for enforcing “blight violations” outside of clogged district courts (see 2003 House Bill 213, signed into law as Public Act 316 of 2003).http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151342

Senate Bill 39: Authorize penalties for nonpayment of administrative hearing bureau fines
Introduced by Sen. Tupac Hunter (D) on January 16, 2013, to allow a local government to foreclose on property owned by a person who has failed to pay fines imposed by administrative hearing bureaus that cities in Wayne County are allowed to create for enforcing “blight violations” outside of clogged district courts (see 2003 House Bill 213, signed into law as Public Act 316 of 2003).http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151344

Senate Bill 40: Impose more transparency & accountability on interlocal agreements
Introduced by Sen. Bruce Caswell (R) on January 16, 2013, to restrict interlocal agreements which formalize a joint exercise of power, privilege or authority between two or more government entities, to non-renewable 20-year terms. Also, to require them to post revenue, spending and other information online, and prohibit them from themselves entering into another ILA. The bill would require a public hearing and additional notice requirements for governments proposing to create an ILA, require that they get approval from the state regarding the proposed ILAs legality, and if one of the government entities is a state agency, require that the Governor sign the ILA. There are almost 1,000 such agreements between Michigan government entities.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151345

Senate Bill 41: Ban Obamacare Medicaid expansion
Introduced by Sen. Bruce Caswell (R) on January 16, 2013, to prohibit Michigan from expanding Medicaid eligibility to include all residents up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level, including single individuals without children. The federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. Obamacare, originally mandated the expansion, but a U.S. Supreme Court ruling made it optional. Medicaid is a medical welfare program funded by a mix of tax dollars raised by the federal and state governments, and originally targeted primarily at low income families with children.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151081

Senate Bill 42: Authorize pharmacy audits by health benefit payers
Introduced by Sen. Bruce Caswell (R) on January 16, 2013, to establish that a health benefit payer including health insurance companies and government medical welfare programs may audit a pharmacy to discover any benefit overpayments, and establish procedures for this and for seeking to recoup any overpayments discovered by the audit.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151346

Senate Bill 44: Add more crimes to sex offender registry
Introduced by Sen. Rick Jones (R) on January 16, 2013, to place on the states public sexual offender registry individuals who commit indecent exposure and some other comparatively less serious sex-related crimes, if the victim was a minor.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151348

Senate Bill 45: Revise tax tribunal timing detail
Introduced by Sen. Darwin Booher (R) on January 16, 2013, to prohibit a state tax tribunal hearing on a property tax dispute from taking take place on the same day that the local property tax board of review meets.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151349

Senate Bill 46: Allow shorter property tax board of review hours
Introduced by Sen. Darwin Booher (R) on January 16, 2013, to allow local property tax board of review hearings to convene for fewer hours than currently specified in statute.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151350

Senate Bill 47: Revise preschool age
Introduced by Sen. Darwin Booher (R) on January 16, 2013, to conform with new kindergarten age to revise age range of students enrolled in certain preschool programs to conform with a change in the minimum kindergarten age change enacted in 2011.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151351

Senate Bill 48: Revise bear cub regulations
Introduced by Sen. Tom Casperson (R) on January 16, 2013, to exempt bear cubs up to 36 weeks from some provisions of a law that imposes restrictions on the possession and control of large carnivores older than 20 weeks.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151352

Senate Bill 49: Make government firearms ownership databases non-public information
Introduced by Sen. Tom Casperson (R) on January 16, 2013, to establish that state databases containing information on licenses issued to individuals to purchase, carry, possess, or transport pistols are confidential and not subject to disclosure under the state Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The bill was introduced after a New York newspaper published the names and addresses of gun owners it acquired from a state database (since then New York has also banned releasing this information).http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151082

Senate Bill 50: Expand ORV shoulder riding
Introduced by Sen. Tom Casperson (R) on January 16, 2013, to let some counties in northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula allow off road vehicles to ride on the shoulders of some “trunkline” state highways.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151353

Senate Bill 51: Expand forest property tax breaks
Introduced by Sen. Darwin Booher (R) on January 16, 2013, to expand the eligibility for certain forest property tax breaks, increase the size of the tax breaks to owners, double the number of acres eligible for the tax breaks from 1.2 million to 2.4 million statewide, authorize a new 2 mill property tax on property in this program that would go to proposed “Private Forestland Enhancement Fund” to subsidize private forestland management activities, and revise other details of this tax break program.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151354

Senate Bill 52: Expand forest property tax breaks
Introduced by Sen. Darwin Booher (R) on January 16, 2013, to revise details of the procedures and fees used by forest property owners to get certain forest property tax breaks, so that these conform to the changes and expansion of the program proposed by Senate Bill 51.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151355

Senate Bill 53: Expand forest property tax breaks
Introduced by Sen. Darwin Booher (R) on January 16, 2013, to revise the formula used to calculate the property tax recapture rate assessed when productive forestland is withdrawn from a program granting property tax exemptions. The change would have the effect of lowering the amount of this recapture payment depending on whether timber has been harvested on the property. See also Senate Bill 51.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151356

Senate Bill 54: Expand forest property tax breaks
Introduced by Sen. Tom Casperson (R) on January 16, 2013, to earmark to a proposed private forestland enhancement fund the tax revenue that is recaptured from a parcel which had been eligible for certain commercial forest property tax breaks but no longer meets the eligibility criteria. See also Senate Bill 51.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151357

Senate Bill 55: Expand forest property tax breaks
Introduced by Sen. Michael Green (R) on January 16, 2013, to change the definition of land that qualifies for agricultural land property tax breaks to include certain land granted the forest property tax breaks that Senate Bill 51 would expand and modify.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151358

Senate Bill 56: Expand forest property tax breaks
Introduced by Sen. Darwin Booher (R) on January 16, 2013, to expand the powers and duties of the 79 government conservation district authorities in the state, among other things giving them a role in granting the extensive property tax breaks for forestland owners which Senate Bill 51 would expand and modify.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151359

Senate Bill 57: Expand forest property tax breaks
Introduced by Sen. Arlan Meekhof (R) on January 16, 2013, to expand to privately owned forestland a state program in which farms are inspected and their compliance with certain conservation, environmental risk, soil nutrient protocols, etc. is verified, giving them qualified exemptions from certain environmental law penalties. See also Senate Bill 51.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151360

Senate Bill 58: Revise DNR and Agriculture Department mission statements
Introduced by Sen. John Moolenaar (R) on January 16, 2013, to explicitly include among the duties of the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture that they work together to jointly promote forestry and development of the states forest products industry.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151361

Senate Bill 59: Expand forest property tax breaks
Introduced by Sen. Darwin Booher (R) on January 16, 2013, to overhaul the management of a “qualified forest management program” that gives property tax breaks to owners of comparatively smaller forestland parcels if managed according to state guidelines.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151362

Senate Bill 61: Convert Blue Cross to non-profit “regular” insurance company
Introduced by Sen. Joe Hune (R) on January 16, 2013, to convert Blue Cross Blue Shield into a nonprofit mutual insurance company (technically “owned” by the policy holders), make it subject to the same regulations as regular health insurers, and no longer exempt BCBS from state and local taxes.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151364

Senate Bill 62: Convert Blue Cross to non-profit “regular” insurance company
Introduced by Sen. Virgil Smith, Jr. (D) on January 16, 2013, to convert Blue Cross Blue Shield into a nonprofit mutual insurance company (technically “owned” by the policy holders), make it subject to the same regulations as regular health insurers, and no longer exempt BCBS from state and local taxes.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151365

Senate Bill 63: Assert immunity of “Michigan-made” firearms from federal gun bans
Introduced by Sen. Phil Pavlov (R) on January 16, 2013, to establish that firearms which are completely made in Michigan may be possessed and sold in this state, notwithstanding any potential federal gun bans claiming authority based on the U.S. constitutions interstate commerce clause.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=151366

House Bill 4001: Cap FOIA charges and increase government FOIA scofflaw penalties
Introduced by Rep. Mike Shirkey (R) on January 9, 2013, to cap at 10-cents per copy charge imposed by a government entity for documents provided under a state Freedom of Information Act request, and require that they permit and not charge a fee for a FOIA requestors making copies with his or her own equipment during an on-site records inspection authorized by this law. Also, to reduce the amount charged by a government entity for FOIA-related administrative and copying costs by 20 percent for each day its response exceeds the five-day statutory deadline (plus specified extensions), and increase the punitive awards to a person who successfully challenges an improper FOIA denial from $500 to $5,000, plus actual or compensatory damages.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=150564

House Bill 4002: Increase interest to taxpayers owed refunds
Introduced in the House on January 9, 2013, to require the state to pay 3 percent per month in interest to a taxpayer who is due a tax refund because of an overpayment, starting 60 days after the claim is filed or the last day established by law for filing the tax return, whichever is later.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=150565

House Bill 4003: Expand state Treasurer tax dispute deal making authority
Introduced by Rep. John Walsh (R) on January 9, 2013, to authorize the state treasurer to compromise disputed tax matters under certain conditions, and establish associated disclosures and record keeping requirements.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=150566

House Bill 4004: Authorize new specialty plate; give profits to particular nonprofit
Introduced by Rep. Dian Slavens (D) on January 9, 2013, to authorize a new specialty license plate, with the profits delivered to the a government-funded social services agency called Early On.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=150567

House Bill 4005: Authorize state child care subsidies and tax breaks
Introduced by Rep. Dian Slavens (D) on January 9, 2013, to authorize a refundable state income tax credit (essentially a cash subsidy in many cases) that would be a percentage of a federal income tax child care credit the individual can claim, with the percentage means tested on the basis of gross income (ranging from 110 percent for households with less than $25,000 income to 20 percent for those between $65,000 and $100,000).http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=150568

House Bill 4006: Revise state college scholarships
Introduced by Rep. Dian Slavens (D) on January 9, 2013, to convert the former Michigan Promise college scholarship program into a $4,000 refundable income tax credit program (meaning that a beneficiary gets a check for the amount the credit exceeds his or her income tax liability). The credits would be granted after getting a two year associates degree, completing an approved two year vocational program or after getting a four year bachelors degree, within 10 years of completing high school.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=150569

14
posted on 01/22/2013 1:48:56 PM PST
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

The state House and Senate finalized their organizational details for the new session this week. There was just one final-passage floor vote on a substantive measure, a gun bill, see roll call information below. This report therefore includes several other newly-introduced firearms-related bills of interest.

Y = Yes, N = No, X = Not Voting

Senate Bill 60, Clarify statutory gun dealer reference: Passed 31 to 5 in the Senate
To make a technical change to a statutory reference to federal firearms dealers. Reportedly this is necessary because under current state law, many licensed firearms dealers could be considered in violation of every time they sell a pistol.

Newly Introduced Firearms Bills of Interest

Senate Bill 63 and House Bill 4099: Assert immunity of “Michigan-made” firearms from federal gun bans (Firearms Freedom Act)
Introduced by Sen. Phil Pavlov (R) and Rep. Greg MacMaster, respectively to establish that firearms which are completely made in Michigan and remain within its borders may be possessed and sold in this state, notwithstanding any potential federal gun bans that claim authority based on the U.S. constitutions interstate commerce clause.
The Senate version was approved 3-1 by the Judiciary Committee and sent to the full body for consideration. Republican Sens. Jones, Schuitmaker and Rocca voted yes and Democrat Sen. Bieda voted no. Meanwhile, House Speaker Jase Bolger told Mirs News the House will go slow on taking up gun bills given that emotions are still raw after the horrific Newtown school shooting in December.

House Bill 4098: Authorize school employee concealed pistols with appropriate training
Introduced by Rep. Greg MacMaster (R) on January 24, 2013, to make an exception to the gun free school provision of the state concealed pistol permit law, and explicitly allow a teacher, administrator, or other school employee to carry a concealed pistol if the schools chief executive officer authorizes this and the individual has received whatever additional training is considered appropriate by the chief executive. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

House Bill 4104: Expand concealed pistol law gun free zone to libraries
Introduced by Rep. Andy Schor (D) on January 24, 2013, to expand the gun free zone provision of the concealed pistol permit law to include public libraries. The bill would also prohibit carrying firearms openly (unconcealed) in a library. Some gun owners have protested local library gun bans recently by openly carrying firearms in the library; nothing in state law explicitly prohibits the open carry of firearms. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

17
posted on 01/28/2013 7:22:45 AM PST
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

Senate Bill 61, Convert Blue Cross to non-profit “regular” insurance company: Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate
To convert Blue Cross Blue Shield into a mutual insurance company and make it subject to the same regulations as regular health insurers. Although it would remain a non-profit, current restrictions on the entity’s ability to own for-profit subsidiaries would be reduced, and it would no longer be subject to close oversight by the state Attorney General. In return for being granted this conversion, BCBS would pay “up to” $1.56 billion over 18 years (meaning it could be less) into a fund that would supplement various health-related government programs, with specific spending items selected by a board of political appointees. The bill does not include abortion restrictions that caused Gov. Snyder to veto the same measure when passed late last year.

Newly Introduced Transportation Funding Bills of Interest

In his annual State of the State address, Gov. Rick Snyder called on the Legislature to explore ways to find an additional $1.2 billion annually to spend on road repairs. This week the Senate responded with a package of tax hike bills.

Senate Joint Resolution J: Replace gas tax with higher sales tax
Introduced by Sen. Randy Richardville (R), to place before voters in the next general election a Constitutional amendment to impose a 2 percent sales tax increase, with at least 90 percent of the new revenue going to road projects, and most of the rest to municipal bus system subsidies. This would replace the state gas and diesel tax (see Senate Bill 85). At the proposed new 8 percent rate, Michigan would have the nations highest state sales tax (although higher rates are imposed in some local jurisdictions). Reportedly the measure is offered as a Plan B alternative to the large fuel and/or vehicle registration tax increases proposed by Senate Bills 87 and 88. Referred to committee.

Senate Bill 87: Replace current fuel taxes with higher wholesale tax
Introduced by Sen. Roger Kahn (R), to replace the current 19 cent per gallon gas tax and 15 cent diesel tax with a new tax based on the wholesale price of fuel, initially levied at a rate of 37 cents per gallon. This would also become the minimum gas tax rate even if wholesale prices fell. If wholesale prices rose the maximum tax would be 50 cents per gallon, but the rate could not rise more than a penny a year.

When added to current federal fuel taxes and the 6 percent state sales tax also imposed on fuel (revenue from which does not go to roads), this would give Michigan the nations highest total gasoline tax levy at nearly 74 cents per gallon, assuming current wholesale and after-tax pump price levels of around $2.74 and $3.50, respectively. (New York is currently number 1 at 67.4 cents per gallon.) See also Senate Joint Resolution J, a Plan B alternative that would instead hike the state sales tax to 8 percent and use the extra revenue to replace current fuel taxes. Referred to committee.

Senate Bill 88: Increase vehicle registration taxes by 80 percent
Introduced by Sen. Roger Kahn (R), to increase the annual vehicle registration (license plate) tax by approximately 80 percent, with comparable increases for trucks and trailers. As an example, the annual tax on a car with a $20,000 list price would increase from $98 to $176, and under Senate Bill 86, remain at this level until the vehicle is 10 years old (when it would drop to 50 percent). See also Senate Bills 84 to 87 and Senate Joint Resolution J. Referred to committee.

Senate Bill 86: Revise, increase vehicle registration taxes
Introduced by Sen. John Pappageorge (R), to revise various vehicle registration tax details. Among other things, the bill would change the basis on which the car and pickup tax is assessed. Instead of the basis gradually dropping to 70 percent of the list price and staying there from the fourth year on, the basis would become 100 percent of the value when new until the car is 10 years old, when it would drop to 50 percent, a change that would extract approximately $64 million more annually from owners. The bill would also end the current one-time $75 trailer registration tax, returning to an annual tax on trailers; those who had already paid the one-time tax would be grandfathered. Referred to committee.

18
posted on 02/05/2013 2:58:01 PM PST
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

Senate Bill 165: Revise withholding futile medical care to minors disclosure
Introduced by Sen. Jim Marleau (R) on February 7, 2013, to require a hospital, health facility or agency that maintains a written policy that encourages or allows a health care professional to withhold or discontinue treatment on the grounds of “medical futility,” and applies this policy to the treatment of minors, to provide a copy of the policy to the patient, parent or legal guardian upon request.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=153740

Senate Bill 166: Limit electric utility monopolies (expand competition)
Introduced by Sen. Arlan Meekhof (R) on February 7, 2013, to partially roll-back a 2008 law that itself mostly undid an electric utility competition law enacted in 2000. Under the 2008 law, utility companies that until 2000 were regulated monopolies got back most of their regional monopolies, except that alternative producers could provide up to 10 percent of the demand in their region. The bill would gradually raise that cap to 28 percent over three years, plus up to 3 percent more per year thereafter, subject to many conditions, restrictions and procedures specified in the bill.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=153741

Senate Bill 167: Establish procedures for disincorporating a village
Introduced by Sen. Arlan Meekhof (R) on February 7, 2013, to establish procedures for disincorporating an incorporated village. If 15 percent of registered voters in the village signed a petition, this would trigger an election on the question. Disincorporation would require a 60 percent supermajority of the votes cast. If the village council created its own plan for an orderly process, disincorporation would require a simple majority of votes cast in the village and surrounding township.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=153742

Senate Bill 168: Require candidate personal finance disclosures
Introduced by Sen. Steve Bieda (D) on February 7, 2013, to require candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state senator, state representative, state Board of Education, elected state and university board members, current state office holders, certain executive branch officials, and certain local offices that pay more than twice the median state per capita income to file personal financial disclosure statements that include the names of all of the person’s family members; his or her employer; the source and amount of wage, salary and other income for the candidate and his or her spouse plus any gifts; a list of assets; certain transactions and liabilities; business ownerships; any trustee, director, etc. positions held in a business, union, non-profit, educational or other institution; any future employment agreements, including leave-of-absence agreements; and more.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=153743

Senate Bill 169: Allow driverless car testing
Introduced by Sen. Mike Kowall (R) on February 7, 2013, to allow the operation on highways of an automated driverless vehicle for testing purposes, subject to narrow conditions. A human operator would have to to be present to monitor performance and intervene if necessary. Gov. Rick Snyder called for this in his 2013 State of the State address.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=153744

Senate Bill 170: Revise criminal defendant youthful trainee status
Introduced by Sen. Bert Johnson (D) on February 7, 2013, to increase from 21 to 26 the age limit on youthful trainee status for criminal defendants, which provides a mechanism for not including the offense on the youths permanent record. The bill would also establish various conditions for this status, including a full time school, work or community service requirement and more.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=153746

House Bill 4190: Revise school pension allocation formula
Introduced by Rep. Jeff Farrington (R) on February 5, 2013, to allocate a public school districts share of annual pension contributions on the basis of operating expenses rather than payroll.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=153468

House Bill 4191: Authorize some retrospective denials of health plan reimbursement
Introduced by Rep. Gail Haines (R) on February 6, 2013, to allow Blue Cross Blue Shield to retroactively deny a claim for reimbursement from a health care services provider within 12 months and seek repayment if the claim is found to be fraudulent, or a duplicate payment was made, or the claim properly should have been paid by another health plan.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=153606

House Bill 4192: Authorize some retrospective denials of health plan reimbursement
Introduced by Rep. Mike Shirkey (R) on February 6, 2013, to allow health insurers to retroactively deny a claim for reimbursement from a health care services provider within 12 months and seek repayment if the claim is found to be fraudulent, or a duplicate payment was made, or the claim properly should have been paid by another health plan.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=153607

House Bill 4193: Authorize Sleeping Bear Dunes license plate
Introduced by Rep. Ray Franz (R) on February 6, 2013, to authorize a new license plate recognizing the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and use the revenue to preserve historic Sleeping Bear.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=153608

House Bill 4194: Increase cap on local rainy day funds
Introduced by Rep. Charles Brunner (D) on February 6, 2013, to increase the amount that local governments are allowed to place in a rainy day fund, from 15 percent to 20 percent of most recent general fund annual budget.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=153609

House Bill 4195: Prohibit fuel sale cash discounts
Introduced by Rep. David Nathan (D) on February 6, 2013, to prohibit gas stations from offering discounts for cash payment, or posting prices based on a discount-for-cash price.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=153610

House Bill 4196: Explicitly allow illuminated mobile billboards
Introduced by Rep. David Nathan (D) on February 6, 2013, to explicitly allow in statute illuminated mobile billboards that dont violate other state sign laws; and authorize state regulations on how bright they can be at night.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=153611

House Bill 4198: Expand “bottle bill”
Introduced by Rep. Sean McCann (D) on February 6, 2013, to expand the bottle bill deposit requirement to include water and all nonalcoholic carbonated or noncarbonated drinks sold in an airtight metal, glass, or plastic container that holds one gallon or less, except for milk or dairy derived products and unflavored rice or soy milk.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=153613

House Bill 4199: Expand scope of child abuse reporting mandate
Introduced by Rep. Sean McCann (D) on February 6, 2013, to expand the law that requires certain health care professionals and social workers to report suspected child abuse, so that it also requires reporting by coaches and school volunteers.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=153614

House Bill 4200: Mandate irrigation well water dispute resolution
Introduced by Rep. Terry Brown (D) on February 6, 2013, to require owners of agricultural irrigation wells to participate in the voluntary well water dispute resolution procedures authorized by a 2003 law.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=153615

House Bill 4201: Ban using government, school resources for politicking & union activities
Introduced by Rep. Tim Kelly (R) on February 6, 2013, to prohibit employees of the state, local governments, school districts or any government employer from using taxpayer resources, including email accounts, for political or union activities.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=153616

House Bill 4202: Impose Amazon tax on internet purchases
Introduced by Rep. Eileen Kowall (R) on February 6, 2013, to impose the state sales tax on catalog or internet purchases made from a seller outside the state if the seller has an affiliate located in Michigan, in the manner pioneered by internet book retailer Amazon.com.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=153617

House Bill 4203: Impose Amazon tax on internet purchases
Introduced by Rep. Rob VerHeulen (R) on February 6, 2013, to impose the state use tax on catalog or internet purchases made from a seller outside the state if the seller has an affiliate located in Michigan, in the manner pioneered by internet book retailer Amazon.com.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=153618

House Bill 4204: Rename highway in Shiawassee County
Introduced by Rep. Ben Glardon (R) on February 7, 2013, to rename a portion of M-71 in the village of Vernon in Shiawassee County as the “Graham Barlow Jr. WWII Memorial Highway Memorial Highway.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=153777

House Bill 4205: Require clawbacks in selective tax break and subsidy deals
Introduced by Rep. Jim Ananich (D) on February 7, 2013, to require selective state business tax break and corporate subsidy agreements to include a clawback provision, which requires a company to pay back the tax breaks or cash subsidies if it leaves the state during the period of the agreement.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=153778

House Bill 4206: Revise criminal defendant youthful trainee status
Introduced by Rep. Harvey Santana (D) on February 7, 2013, to increase from 21 to 26 the age limit on youthful trainee status for criminal defendants, which provides a mechanism for not including the offense on the youths permanent record. The bill would also establish various conditions for this status, including a full time school, work or community service requirement and more.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=153779

House Bill 4207: Limit state department rulemaking authority
Introduced by Rep. Jeff Farrington (R) on February 7, 2013, to prohibit a state department from promulgating rules more stringent than required by federal standards, unless specifically required to by state statute.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=153780

House Bill 4208: Revise resort district tax and infrastructure law
Introduced by Rep. Dale W. Zorn (R) on February 7, 2013, to revise a state law that lets local governments create resort districts in a waterfront area. These have the power to impose up to three mills in extra property tax on property owners in the district; borrow money for roads, sewers, flood control, streetlights and garbage collection; and use the increased tax revenue to make the debt service payments on these loans. The bill would revise details of the districts board membership.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=153781

House Bill 4209: Increase solicitation of sex from minor penalties
Introduced by Rep. Dale W. Zorn (R) on February 7, 2013, to increase the penalties for the crime of soliciting sex act from a minor who is at least 16 years of age.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=153782

House Bill 4210: Increase solicitation of sex from minor penalties
Introduced by Rep. Eileen Kowall (R) on February 7, 2013, to revise the sentencing guidelines for the penalty increase proposed by House Bill 4209 for the crime of soliciting a minor 16 years of age or older to commit prostitution.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=153783

20
posted on 02/15/2013 7:42:28 PM PST
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

Senate Bill 51, Expand forest property tax breaks: Passed 35 to 0 in the Senate
To expand the eligibility for certain forest property tax breaks, increase their value, double the number of acres eligible for the tax breaks from 1.2 million to 2.4 million statewide, authorize a new 2 mill property tax on property in this program that would go to a proposed “Private Forestland Enhancement Fund” to subsidize private forestland management activities, and revise many other details of this program.

Senate Bill 48, Ease bear cub “petting zoo” restriction: Passed 26 to 9 in the Senate
To exempt bear cubs up to 36 weeks old from restrictions on the possession and handling of large carnivores older than 20 weeks. This would allow “petting zoos” and similar operations to let members of the public have contact with bear cubs. Reportedly the bill was introduced after Oswald’s Bear Ranch in Newberry was ordered to halt this activity.

Noteworthy Committee Hearings

House and Senate appropriations subcommittees held informational hearings on Gov. Snyders request that they appropriate $30.5 million in federal grant money for a so-called partnership exchange under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. Obamacare. This would be a federal health insurance subsidy and eligibility operation in which the state performs certain ancillary functions, as determined through negotiations with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, possibly including customer assistance. According to the Gongwer and MIRS news services, lawmakers had more questions than executive branch officials were able to answer at this time.

Recently Introduced Bills of Interest

Senate Bill 99: Expand school sinking fund uses to include security
Introduced by Sen. Howard Walker (R), to allow school districts to use sinking fund taxes for school security. Under current law, school sinking funds are permanent funds that may be used only for infrastructure-related spending including buying land, construction and major repairs. Schools can levy up to five mills for sinking funds. Since new operating expense millages were prohibited by a vote of the people in the 1994 Proposal A initiative, it is likely that the bill would require a 3/4 majority vote in the House and Senate, as required by the Constitution on any bill amending an initiative adopted by popular vote. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

Senate Bill 128: Increase state Earned Income Tax Credit
Introduced by Sen. Bert Johnson (D), to increase the state earned income tax credit from an amount equal to 6 percent of the federal EITC, to 20 percent. This is a refundable credit for low income workers (meaning that a check is sent to the taxpayer for the balance of the credit exceeding taxes owed). According to a House Fiscal Agency analysis, this increase would cost $261 million annually. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

Senate Bill 137: Ban abortion coverage in state “Obamacare exchange
Introduced by Sen. Mark Jansen (R), to prohibit the insurance exchange created under the federal health care law from providing policies that include coverage for abortion. A person could use their own money to buy an optional insurance policy rider that reimburses the costs of an abortion. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

Senate Bill 169: Allow driverless car testing
Introduced by Sen. Mike Kowall (R), to allow the operation on highways of an automated driverless vehicle for testing purposes, subject to narrow conditions. A human operator would have to be present to monitor performance and intervene if necessary. Gov. Rick Snyder called for this in his 2013 State of the State address, and the bill was the subject of an informational hearing this week.

House Bill 4148: Authorize more community college bachelors degrees
Introduced by Rep. Mike Shirkey (R), to allow community colleges to grant bachelor degrees in nursing, ski area management, wastewater treatment technology, allied health, information technology, and manufacturing technology. This would be in addition to community college bachelor degrees authorized by a 2012 law, which included cement technology, maritime technology, energy production technology and culinary arts. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

House Bill 4202: Impose Amazon tax on internet purchases
Introduced by Rep. Eileen Kowall (R), to impose the state sales tax on catalog or internet purchases made from a seller outside the state if the seller has an affiliate located in Michigan, in the manner pioneered by internet retailer Amazon.com. The bill has 17 cosponsors from both parties, and is the reintroduction of a 2011 bill that appeared to be part of a national lobbying campaign by big box retail stores. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

22
posted on 02/21/2013 3:44:55 PM PST
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

House Bill 4241: Authorize seasonal load limit exceptions for septic haulers
Introduced by Rep. Ken Goike (R) on February 12, 2013, to allow an emergency exemption from seasonal road weight limit restrictions for septage haulers in emergency cases, such as when a homeowner’s septic system has backed up.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=154255

House Bill 4242: Raise burden of proof to justify new government regulations
Introduced by Rep. Ken Goike (R) on February 12, 2013, to require government agencies to demonstrate that a rule they want to impose is necessary and suitable to achieve its purpose in proportion to the burdens it places on individuals..http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=154256

House Bill 4243: Revise forest property tax breaks
Introduced by Rep. Edward McBroom (R) on February 12, 2013, to revise the formula used to calculate the property tax recapture rate assessed when productive forestland is withdrawn from a program granting property tax exemptions. The change would have the effect of lowering the amount of this recapture payment depending on whether timber has been harvested on the property. See also Senate Bill 51.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=154257

House Bill 4244: Revise forest property tax breaks
Introduced by Rep. Bruce Rendon (R) on February 12, 2013, to revise details of the procedures and fees used by forest property owners to get certain forest property tax breaks, so that these conform to the changes and expansion of the program proposed by Senate Bill 51.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=154258

House Bill 4246: Give biobased product state purchasing preference
Introduced by Rep. Paul Muxlow (R) on February 12, 2013, to require the state to give preference in purchasing and procurement to biobased products. Contracts would have to be given to providers of equivalent biobased products, rather than to the lowest bidder, if the price was not more than 5 percent higher.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=154260

House Bill 4247: Give government loan guarantees to certain food processing entities
Introduced by Rep. Marcia Hovey-Wright (D) on February 12, 2013, to create a new government loan program guaranteeing loans of up to $5 million each for innovation in value-added agricultural processing and related production operations or the commercialization of agriculture technologies, processes or products..http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=154261

House Bill 4248: Require prescription to buy pseudophedrine
Introduced by Rep. John Kivela (D) on February 12, 2013, to prohibit the sale of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine cold medications except with a doctors prescription.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=154262

House Bill 4249: Ban local mandates that private employers must grant leave
Introduced by Rep. Earl Poleski (R) on February 12, 2013, to preempt local governments from adopting ordinances or policies that require private sector employers to provide paid or unpaid employee leave that is not required under state or federal law.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=154263

House Bill 4250: Mandate homeschool parents register with state
Introduced by Rep. Woodrow Stanley (D) on February 13, 2013, to require the parents of children who are homeschooled to submit the name and age of each child to the state Department of Education at the start of each school year.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=154380

House Bill 4251: Revise local road project contracting details
Introduced by Rep. Kevin Cotter (R) on February 13, 2013, to establish that if a township contributes 50 percent or more to the cost of a road project, it can require the county road commission contract for the work through competitive bidding.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=154381

House Bill 4254: Exempt electric carriages from motor vehicle regulations
Introduced by Rep. John Walsh (R) on February 14, 2013, to exempt electric carriages from regulations authorized under the Michigan vehicle code. These are defined as a horse-drawn carriage that has been retrofitted to be propelled by an electric motor instead of by a horse and that is used to provide taxi service.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=154399

House Bill 4256: Exempt House cafeteria from blind concessionaire mandate
Introduced by Rep. Cindy Denby (R) on February 14, 2013, to exempt the cafeteria in the House Office Building from a law that requires contracts for concessions in state buildings to be granted only to blind people.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=154401

House Bill 4257: Revise liquor license detail
Introduced by Rep. Cindy Denby (R) on February 14, 2013, to extend to counties, villages and townships the provisions of a law that authorizes redevelopment project area liquor licenses over and above a particular citys liquor license quota if the city meets certain redevelopment capital investment thresholds.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=154402

House Bill 4259: Extend “Obsolete Property” tax break
Introduced by Rep. Fred Durhal, Jr. (D) on February 14, 2013, for particular developer to revise the criteria in the law that authorizes tax breaks for the rehabilitation and reuse of “obsolete structures” in a way that will allow granting these tax breaks to a particular Detroit developer.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=154404

House Bill 4260: Revise mammography report disclosure details
Introduced by Rep. Winnie Brinks (D) on February 14, 2013, to require the summary and written report of a mammography examination sent to a doctor or patient by a federally certified mammography facility to include cautionary information regarding breast density if the patient is determined to have heterogeneously or extremely dense breast tissue.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=154405

House Bill 4262: Revise ban on carrying dangerous weapons
Introduced by Rep. Frank Foster (R) on February 14, 2013, to revise details of which items are banned in the law prohibiting carrying knives with unlawful intent. The new language would prohibit an object designed, manufactured, or intended to be used to cause death or injury. Among other things this would replace language banning knives with a blade over three inches in length. The bill also clarifies that the prohibition does not apply to weapons kept in a persons home or workplace, or ones being transported between these places and the hunting fields.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=154407

House Bill 4263: Designate “Michigan Man” as official state song
Introduced by Rep. Frank Foster (R) on February 14, 2013, to designate “Michigan Man” by Mike Ridley as the official state song. Senate Bill 644 of 2003 would have established as a matter of law that “Michigan, My Michigan” by Douglas Malloch and W. Otto Meissner would be the official state song.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=154408

House Bill 4264: Allow consecutive sentences for financial exploitation crime
Introduced by Rep. Tom Leonard (R) on February 14, 2013, to allow sentences imposed for committing certain financial exploitation crimes against a vulnerable or incapacitated adult to be served consecutively with sentences imposed for other violations of this statute.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=154409

House Bill 4265: Allow consecutive sentences for financial exploitation crime
Introduced by Rep. Mike Shirkey (R) on February 14, 2013, to allow sentences imposed for for committing certain financial exploitation crimes against a vulnerable or incapacitated adult to be served consecutively with sentences imposed for other violations of this statute.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=154410

Senate Bill 19: Revise mortgage licensure law detail
Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on February 20, 2013, to revise details of the selection of representatives of the mortgage industry for a government mortgage industry advisory board that advises a state “commissioner of the office of financial and insurance regulation,” but does not itself have any regulatory authority.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=645891

Senate Bill 97: Repeal child car seat penalty waiver provision
Passed 35 to 1 in the Senate on February 20, 2013, to repeal a provision of the law mandating child car seats that waives penalties for a violation if the driver gets a car seat and brings the receipts to court.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=645893

House Bill 4125: Repeal osteopath school advisory board
Passed 110 to 0 in the House on February 20, 2013, to eliminate an advisory board created as part of a 1969 law authorizing a state-supported school of osteopathic medicine.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=646050

24
posted on 02/22/2013 4:26:13 AM PST
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

Senate Bill 205: Increase solicitation of sex from minor penalties
Introduced by Sen. Judy Emmons (R) on February 19, 2013, to increase the penalties for the crime of soliciting sex from a minor who is at least 16 years of age.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155089

Senate Bill 206: Increase solicitation of sex from minor penalties
Introduced by Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R) on February 19, 2013, to revise the sentencing guidelines for the penalty increase proposed by House Bill 4209 for the crime of soliciting a minor 16 years of age or older to commit prostitution..http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155090

Senate Bill 207: Subsidize rail and marine freight facilities
Introduced by Sen. John Proos, IV (R) on February 20, 2013, to require rather than just allow the department of transportation to give financial aid to rail and marine freight facilities, including grants and loan subsidies.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155226

Senate Bill 208: Revise unemployment benefits detail
Introduced by Sen. Bruce Caswell (R) on February 20, 2013, to clarify an unemployment benefits provision related to charges levied against a employer when two or more employers of a single employee are involved.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155227

Senate Bill 209: Extend charity sales tax exemption
Introduced by Sen. Michael Green (R) on February 20, 2013, to veterans groups to include nonprofit veterans organizations under an exemption allowing charitable entities to sell up to $5,000 in goods at retail for fundraising purpose without incurring sales tax liability.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155228

Senate Bill 210: Revise nonprofit sales tax exemption
Introduced by Sen. Michael Green (R) on February 20, 2013, to exempt from sales tax up to $25,000 in aggregate annual retail sales made by a nonprofit organization for fundraising purposes, rather than $5,000 under current law. At least 10 similar bills raising the $5,000 cap have been introduced since 2002.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155233

Senate Bill 211: Establish firefighters cancer presumption
Introduced by Sen. Tory Rocca (R) on February 20, 2013, to establish a presumption that cases of certain types of cancer contracted by non-volunteer firefighters arose out of and in the course of employment for purposes of granting workers compensation benefits, unless there is evidence to the contrary, and unless the person is a consistent cigarette smoker.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155229

Senate Bill 213: Allow concealed pistols in schools; revise CPL procedures
Introduced by Sen. Michael Green (R) on February 20, 2013, to allow a teacher, administrator, or other school employee to licensed to carry a concealed pistol to do so in school if the schools chief executive officer or school board authorizes this. The bill would also remove taverns, child care centers and certain arenas from the concealed pistol permit laws gun free zone provision; eliminate county concealed weapon licensing boards, and transfer the responsibility for issuing concealed pistol licenses to the state police; and revise various other details of this law.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155231

Senate Bill 214: Allow NRTC funds for dredging, timber & mining infrastructure
Introduced by Sen. Tom Casperson (R) on February 20, 2013, to revise the rules for use of the money in the Natural Resources Trust Fund. The trust fund receives money from oil, gas, and mineral royalties and leases on state-owned lands and uses this for land acquisitions, and conservation and recreation projects. The bill would allow the money to also be used to be used to develop and maintain road infrastructure for natural-resource based industries including timber and mining, and for waterways infrastructure including breakwaters and dredging.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155232

Senate Bill 216: Revise liquor control regulatory regime
Introduced by Sen. Howard Walker (R) on February 21, 2013, to revise many details of the states liquor distribution regulatory regime to reflect the recommendations of an advisory committee convened by Gov. Rick Snyder. Among many other changes, the bill would exempt small breweries and wineries from the mandate to only distribute their products through the wholesaler distribution monopolies authorized by this law.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155375

House Bill 4266: Increase EITC
Introduced by Rep. Phil Cavanagh (D) on February 19, 2013, to increase the state earned income tax credit from an amount equal to 6 percent of the federal EITC, to 20 percent. This is a refundable credit for low income workers (meaning that a check is sent to the taxpayer for the balance of the credit exceeding taxes owed). According to a House Fiscal Agency analysis, this increase would cost $261 million annually.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155098

House Bill 4267: Authorize Detroit college fund
Introduced by Rep. David Nathan (D) on February 19, 2013, to establish a Detroit college promise fund to hold and disburse the tax refund contributions proposed by House Bill 4268.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155099

House Bill 4268: Authorize Detroit college fund
Introduced by Rep. David Nathan (D) on February 19, 2013, to allow an individual to choose to automatically contribute $5 or more from his or her state income tax refund to a new a Detroit college promise fund proposed by House Bill 4267.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155100

House Bill 4269: Create state school safety commission
Introduced by Rep. David Nathan (D) on February 19, 2013, to create a statewide school safety commission to recommend policies and practices to prevent violent incidents at schools.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155101

House Bill 4270: Subsidize motorists gas expense
Introduced by Rep. Jim Ananich (D) on February 19, 2013, to give individuals with annual incomes below $50,000 a gasoline purchase subsidy equal to half the amount they spend on fuel for traveling to and from work. A 25 percent subsidy could be claimed by those with incomes between $50,000 and $75,000, and a 10 percent subsidy for incomes between $75,000 and $100,000. The subsidies are styled as refundable tax credits. The bill does not specify which government spending would be cut or taxes raised to provide these subsidies.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155102

House Bill 4271: Authorize and regulate medical marijuana dispensaries
Introduced by Rep. Mike Callton (R) on February 19, 2013, to authorize and establish a comprehensive regulatory regime for medical marijuana dispensaries, including municipal licensure or prohibition, with civil and criminal penalties for violations.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155103

House Bill 4272: Authorize school cardiac emergency response drills
Introduced by Rep. Gail Haines (R) on February 19, 2013, to allow schools to substitute a cardiac emergency response drill (presumably involving the use of defibrillator devices) for one of the six fire drills schools are required to hold each year.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155104

House Bill 4273: Require youth athlete cardiac arrest protocols
Introduced by Rep. Gail Haines (R) on February 19, 2013, to require the Department of Community Health to develop sudden cardiac arrest educational materials, a training program, and protocols for limiting affected young athletes participation in athletic programs; and require schools, recreation agencies, leagues, etc. to comply with procedures the department recommends. Among other things, they would have get youth athletes and their parents or guardian to sign an acknowledgement that they have received the relevant education materials.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155105

House Bill 4276: Ban mandating common core standards in public schools
Introduced by Rep. Tom McMillin (R) on February 19, 2013, to prohibit the Michigan state Board of Education from implementing the common core standards promoted by the Common Core State Standards Initiative associated with the National Governor Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers. Also, to require the board to rescind its adoption of those standards in a 2010 resolution.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155108

House Bill 4277: Require expeditious liquor license issue
Introduced by Rep. Ray Franz (R) on February 19, 2013, to require the Liquor Control Commission to issue a conditional liquor license within 20 days of an applicant submitting all the necessary paperwork, fees, proof of financial responsibility, etc. This would expire after one year, or when the regular license is approved or denied, whichever comes first.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155109

House Bill 4278: Mandate environmental assessments for new schools
Introduced by Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D) on February 19, 2013, to prohibit building a new school unless a preliminary assessment is done to discover whether any hazardous substances are on the property, and if this indicates there are, to undertake the (extensive) cleanup procedures specified under state environmental law. The bill also adds a variety of public notice requirements.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155110

House Bill 4279: Authorize rewards for littering informants
Introduced by Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D) on February 19, 2013, to establish an illegal dumping informant program which would provide rewards to persons who materially contribute to the imposition of civil fines against litterers or illegal dumpers. The reward would be equivalent to half the fine collected from an illegal dumper.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155111

House Bill 4280: Authorize rewards for littering informants
Introduced by Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D) on February 19, 2013, to establish an illegal dumping informant program which would provide rewards to persons who materially contribute to the imposition of civil fines against litterers or illegal dumpers. The reward would be equivalent to half the fine collected from an illegal dumper.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155112

House Bill 4281: Expand school sinking fund uses to include technology and “security”
Introduced by Rep. Michael McCready (R) on February 19, 2013, to allow school districts to use sinking fund taxes for upgrading of technology or for school security. Under current law, sinking funds are permanent funds that may be used only for infrastructure-related spending including the purchase of land or construction and (major) repair of school buildings. The conventional public school establishment has been trying for a dozen years to get this restriction expanded, with more than a dozen bills introduced, several to allow technology spending. In January 2013, following the Newtown school shooting incident, a bill was introduced to allow this property tax revenue to be used for security; now this one adds technology to that.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155113

House Bill 4282: Post legislative committee recordings online
Introduced by Rep. Tim Kelly (R) on February 19, 2013, to require the Legislature to create an publicly accessible online repository with audio or video recordings of House and Senate committee meetings.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155114

House Bill 4283: Revise allowable deer hunting guns south of rifle line
Introduced by Rep. Matt Lori (R) on February 19, 2013, to revise the types of firearms allowed for deer hunting south of the rifle line in the Lower Peninsula. In addition to shotguns and muzzle-loading rifles, hunters could use a .35 caliber or larger pistol capable of holding no more than nine rounds, and a .35 caliber or larger rifle loaded with straight-walled cartridges and a maximum case length of 1.80 inches (in other words, not a high-power rifle cartridge, which carry for extremely long distances).http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155115

House Bill 4284: Revise ORV shoulder-riding details
Introduced by Rep. Joel Johnson (R) on February 19, 2013, to authorize local governments to ask the Department of Transportation to allow ORVs on the shoulders of state trunk line highways in northern Michigan at the request of local governments, where necessary to connect existing ORV networks.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155116

House Bill 4285: Earmark timber sale proceeds to local government PILT disbursements
Introduced by Rep. Joel Johnson (R) on February 19, 2013, to earmark revenue from sales of timber on state land for payments in lieu of (property) taxes (PILT) to local governments on state-owned property in their jurisdictions.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155117

House Bill 4286: Authorize adoption tax credit/subsidy
Introduced by Rep. Robert Kosowski (D) on February 19, 2013, to authorize a $1,200 refundable income tax credit for adoption expenses. Refundable means the state will send the individual a check for the amount that the credit exceeds his or her tax liability.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155118

House Bill 4287: Designate veteran status on state ID card if requested
Introduced by Rep. George T. Darany (D) on February 19, 2013, to require the Secretary of State to designate on state identification cares whether the card holder is a military veteran, if this is requested by a veteran who has specified documents proving this status.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155119

25
posted on 02/26/2013 4:18:49 AM PST
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

Senate Bill 61: Convert Blue Cross to non-profit “regular” insurance company
Passed 92 to 18 in the House on February 28, 2013, to convert Blue Cross Blue Shield into a mutual insurance company and make it subject to the same regulations as regular health insurers. Although it would remain a non-profit, current restrictions on the entity’s ability to own for-profit subsidiaries would be reduced, and it would no longer be subject to close oversight by the state Attorney General. In return for being granted this conversion, BCBS would pay “up to” $1.56 billion over 18 years (meaning it could be less) into a fund that would supplement various health-related government programs, with specific spending items selected by a board of political appointees. The bill does not include abortion restrictions that caused Gov. Snyder to veto the same measure when passed late last year.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=648249

Senate Bill 162: Revise criminal plot prosecution venue detail
Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on February 27, 2013, to authorize prosecuting felonies committed in another county if they are part of a plot to commit a crime in the prosecution venue.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=647852

House Bill 4111: Fund state role in federal “Obamacare partnership exchange”
Passed 78 to 31 in the House on February 28, 2013, to appropriate $30.5 million in federal grant money to set up a consumer assistance call center related to insurance subsidies provided by the federal health care law. The actual subsidy administration and eligibility determinations will be performed by a federal entity styled under the law as an “exchange” (in 2012 the legislature declined to create a state-run version of this entity). The money will also be used for state Medicaid system software upgrades required in part because of this law.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=648250

House Bill 4153: Revise diesel tax detail
Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on February 27, 2013, to revise details of a 2012 law that extended a requirement for prepayment at the wholesale level of sales tax on gasoline so that this also applies to diesel fuel.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=647853

27
posted on 03/01/2013 5:08:47 PM PST
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

House Bill 4310: Revise cosmetologists licensure mandate details
Introduced by Rep. Kevin Cotter (R) on February 26, 2013, to revise details of the state licensure mandate imposed on cosmetologists and schools that teach cosmetology and electrology.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155638

House Bill 4312: Authorize enhanced penalties for drive-by shooting
Introduced by Rep. Stacy Erwin Oakes (D) on February 26, 2013, to authorize up to life in prison for intentionally discharging a firearm from a vehicle when this causes death (as in a drive-by shooting), and 15 to 20 years if someone is injured. These penalties would be on top of any imposed for assault, attempted murder, etc.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155640

House Bill 4314: Create FOIA compliance commission
Introduced by Rep. Tom McMillin (R) on February 26, 2013, to create a state commission comprised of lawmakers and media representatives to investigate complaints about the state and local governments compliance with the Freedom of Information Act, including fees charged and exemptions or exclusions claimed. The commission could refer complaints to the state Attorney General or issue opinions which in some cases may be binding on a government, and would also have the duty of recommending changes in the law based on information it gathers.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155642

House Bill 4315: Require utilities provide customer smart meter opt-out
Introduced by Rep. Tom McMillin (R) on February 26, 2013, to require electric utilities that adopt advanced smart meters, which are capable of measuring, recording, storing, and reporting usage according to predetermined time criteria and that allows 2-way communications suited for demand-response programs, to allow customers to opt out without penalty. The bill would impose restrictions on how utilities could collect, use and retain information collected from the meters.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155643

House Bill 4317: Require city tax liability disclosure on state tax forms
Introduced by Rep. David Nathan (D) on February 26, 2013, to require income tax filers to disclose on state tax returns whether they have local government income tax liability, whether their employer has withheld money from paychecks for this, and how much they owe to the local government. State tax forms would have to include a list of local income taxes and a worksheet to calculate the liability.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155645

House Bill 4318: Authorize community college bachelors degree in nursing
Introduced by Rep. Joel Johnson (R) on February 26, 2013, to allow community colleges to grant bachelor degrees in nursing. This would be in addition to community college bachelor degrees authorized by a 2012 law in cement technology, maritime technology, energy production technology or culinary arts.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155646

House Bill 4319: Revise judge and statewide officeholder post-retirement health benefits
Introduced by Rep. Al Pscholka (R) on February 26, 2013, to establish a new retirement system for judges and statewide officeholders in which they would contribute 2 percent of their salary to post-retirement health care benefits in the form of a health reimbursement account maintained by the state for the individuals benefit.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155647

House Bill 4320: Expand forest property tax breaks
Introduced by Rep. Andrea LaFontaine (R) on February 26, 2013, to expand the eligibility for certain forest property tax breaks, increase the size of the tax breaks to owners, double the number of acres eligible for the tax breaks from 1.2 million to 2.4 million statewide, authorize a new 2 mill property tax on property in this program that would go to proposed “Private Forestland Enhancement Fund” to subsidize private forestland management activities, and revise other details of this tax break program.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155648

House Bill 4321: Expand forest property tax breaks
Introduced by Rep. Edward McBroom (R) on February 26, 2013, to earmark to a proposed private forestland enhancement fund the tax revenue that is recaptured from a parcel which had been eligible for certain commercial forest property tax breaks but no longer meets the eligibility criteria. See also House Bill 4320.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155649

House Bill 4322: Expand forest property tax breaks
Introduced by Rep. Roger Victory (R) on February 26, 2013, to revise details of the procedures and fees used by forest property owners to get certain forest property tax breaks, so that these conform to the changes and expansion of the program proposed by House Bill 4320.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155650

House Bill 4323: Expand forest property tax breaks
Introduced by Rep. Peter Pettalia (R) on February 26, 2013, to expand the powers and duties of the 79 government conservation district authorities in the state, among other things giving them a role in granting the extensive property tax breaks for forestland owners which House Bill 4320 would expand and modify.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155651

House Bill 4324: Expand forest property tax breaks
Introduced by Rep. Frank Foster (R) on February 26, 2013, to expand to privately owned forestland a state program in which farms are inspected and their compliance with certain conservation, environmental risk, soil nutrient protocols, etc. is verified, giving them qualified exemptions from certain environmental law penalties. See also House Bill 4320.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155652

House Bill 4325: Revise DNR and Agriculture Department mission statements
Introduced by Rep. Ken Goike (R) on February 26, 2013, to explicitly include among the duties of the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture that they work together to jointly promote forestry and development of the states forest products industry.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155653

House Bill 4326: Authorize hospice and palliative care specialty plate
Introduced by Rep. Joel Johnson (R) on February 26, 2013, to authorize a specialty license plate honoring the institutions of hospice and palliative care, with the premium revenue going to the Michigan Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155654

House Bill 4327: Allow “tax increment finance” scheme reset to make up for property value declines
Introduced by Rep. Jeff Farrington (R) on February 26, 2013, to allow corridor improvement authorities to reset their tax increment financing schemes (TIF) to reflect declining property assessments, which undermine the ability of these schemes to divert property tax revenue from other local taxing authorities to pay for the authoritys debt-funded spending projects. A TIF “captures” the increment of extra local property tax revenue that supposedly will result from its spending on various projects or subsidies; this money is then used to repay debt incurred to accommodate that spending.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155655

House Bill 4328: Appropriations: 2013-2014 omnibus budget
Introduced by Rep. Joseph Haveman (R) on February 27, 2013, to appropriate $36.605 billion in non-education state spending in the fiscal year that begins on Oct. 1, 2013, compared to $34.355 billion enacted the previous year. (Both figures are the overall gross spending amount, which are the figures generally cited in news reports; the proposed new budget nets-out to $35.767 billion adjusted gross when inter-department transfers are accounted for.) Some $18.955 billion of this will come from federal government. The total executive budget recommendation including education is $51.607 billion gross ($50.769 billion adjusted gross).http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155924

House Bill 4330: Authorize other-state funeral director license reciprocity
Introduced by Rep. Kenneth Kurtz (R) on February 27, 2013, to recognize as valid in Michigan a license in the field of mortuary science or funeral directing issued by another state that has substantially the same standards. House Bill 4303 contains the main part of this proposal.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155927

House Bill 4331: Ban employment decisions based on credit history
Introduced by Rep. Henry Yanez (D) on February 27, 2013, to prohibit an employer from making employment decisions based on an individual’s credit history, unless a good credit history is an established bona fide occupational requirement of a particular position.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155929

House Bill 4332: Lower CPL minimum age for military
Introduced by Rep. Earl Poleski (R) on February 27, 2013, to lower the minimum age to get a concealed pistol permit from 21 to 18 for a young person who is in the armed forces.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155930

House Bill 4333: Revise accountant business licensure detail
Introduced by Rep. Earl Poleski (R) on February 27, 2013, to establish that a professional service corporation may engage in the practice of public accounting if more than 50 percent of the equity and voting rights of the company are held by individuals who are licensed public accountants.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155932

House Bill 4334: Revise accountant business licensure detail
Introduced by Rep. Tom McMillin (R) on February 27, 2013, to establish that a professional limited liability company may engage in the practice of public accounting if more than 50 percent of the equity and voting rights of the company are held by individuals who are licensed public accountants.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155933

House Bill 4335: Allow dogs in outdoor cafés
Introduced by Rep. Margaret O’Brien (R) on February 27, 2013, to revise a prohibition on restaurants allowing dogs in the dining area, so as to allow a restaurant to allow customers dogs in outside dining areas. Under current law only seeing-eye and other service dogs are allowed. Local governments could still ban dogs.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155935

House Bill 4336: Expand child support order authority to include mentally impaired adults
Introduced by Rep. Jim Ananich (D) on February 27, 2013, to give courts the power in to order child support payments after a child reaches age 18 if the child has a development disability or is mentally retarded.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155937

House Bill 4337: Authorize Ducks Unlimited fundraising plate
Introduced by Rep. Dale W. Zorn (R) on February 27, 2013, to require the Secretary of State to develop a Ducks Unlimited fundraising license plate, with fees collected for the plate going to the Michigan Chapter of Ducks Unlimited.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155938

House Bill 4338: Require more hazmat licensee disclosures
Introduced by Rep. Douglas Geiss (D) on February 27, 2013, to require a person who is required to have a state license to build, manage or operate a hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facility to disclose any past environmental-law related criminal convictions.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155939

House Bill 4339: Exempt road projects from wetland mitigation mandate
Introduced by Rep. Edward McBroom (R) on February 27, 2013, to prohibit the Department of Environmental Quality from imposing a wetland mitigation requirement on a road project within the right of way of an existing road. Wetland mitigation is generally requiring a new swampy area to be created if an existing one is filled in.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155941

House Bill 4340: Require specific not general NRTF land acquisition
Introduced by Rep. Edward McBroom (R) on February 27, 2013, recommendations to require the board of the state Natural Resources Trust Fund to specifically identify property to be acquired or developed when submitting its recommendations to the legislature for approval, and not simply include broad references such as ecoregions. NRTF money comes mostly from oil and gas drilling royalties.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155942

House Bill 4341: Revise bodies donated to science accredidations
Introduced by Rep. Matt Lori (R) on February 28, 2013, to give the Department of Community Health the authority to designate any accredited medical school in this state to accept dead bodies donated to science. Under current law only the University of Michigan, Michigan State and Wayne State may be designated.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155945

House Bill 4342: Subsidize low income savings accounts
Introduced by Rep. Jim Ananich (D) on February 28, 2013, to authorize state matching grants of up to $250 annually to a low income person who deposits part of their federal income tax refund in a qualified savings account, the nature of which would be determined by the Department of Treasury.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155946

House Bill 4343: Revise Detroit powers population threshold
Introduced by Rep. David Nathan (D) on February 28, 2013, to revise the population threshold in a law that authorizes Detroit to impose its own regulatory regime on limousines, defined as a vehicle for hire capable carrying up to 15 passengers. The Michigan constitution prohibits passing local acts with less than a two thirds majority vote in the House and Senate, so the legislature has circumvented this by granting certain privileges or exemptions to a city with a population greater than 1 million, later revised to 900,000, and then 750,000. This bill changes that to 500,000.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155947

House Bill 4344: Revise special Detroit powers population threshold
Introduced by Rep. Thomas Stallworth, III (D) on February 28, 2013, to revise the population threshold in a law that gives Detroit the power to define a fire arson investigator as a police officer. The Michigan constitution prohibits passing local acts with less than a two-thirds majority vote in the House and Senate, so the legislature has circumvented this by granting certain privileges or exemptions to a city with a population greater than 1 million, later revised to 900,000, and then 750,000. This bill changes that to 600,000.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155949

House Bill 4345: Mandate certain child lead exposure screening
Introduced by Rep. Thomas Stallworth, III (D) on February 28, 2013, to mandate that a health professional who provides primary care services to a child age 12 to 24 months (not including emergency care) must order lead exposure screening according to exposure criteria specified in the bill.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155950

House Bill 4346: Classify fatal drive-by shooting as first degree murder
Introduced by Rep. Thomas Stallworth, III (D) on February 28, 2013, to classify as first degree murder the act of intentionally discharging a firearm at an occupied building when this causes death (as in a drive-by shooting).http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155952

House Bill 4347: Revise property transfer taxable value detail
Introduced by Rep. Amanda Price (R) on February 28, 2013, to allow a property owner to transfer ownership of his or her property to a corporation (or other type of limited liability company) that the person owns, without triggering the Proposal A pop-up, in which the state equalized value (SEV, meaning market value) of transferred property becomes the basis for its property tax assessment, rather than the capped taxable value of the previous owner.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155954

House Bill 4348: Exempt school districts from property split subdivision mandate
Introduced by Rep. Aric Nesbitt (R) on February 28, 2013, to exempt school districts from the law that limits the amount of parcels a land owner may divide his or her property into without undergoing very rigorous subdivision platting requirements.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155955

House Bill 4349: Make government firearms ownership databases non-public information
Introduced by Rep. Hugh Crawford (R) on February 28, 2013, to establish that state databases containing information on licenses issued to individuals to purchase, carry, possess, or transport pistols are confidential and not subject to disclosure under the state Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155957

House Bill 4350: Revise gun free zone CPL exception
Introduced by Rep. Tom Leonard (R) on February 28, 2013, to revise the gun free zone provision of the concealed pistol permit law to exempt current and former county prosecutors and assistant prosecutors who have concealed pistol licenses from the restrictions.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155958

House Bill 4352: Mandate schools have epi-pens
Introduced by Rep. Lisa Lyons (R) on February 28, 2013, to allow physicians to prescribe epinephrine auto injectors for schools to have in their facilities under a mandate proposed by House Bill 4353, and except for gross negligence, waive the legal liability of the physician and pharmacist in the event that use of these epi-pens causes an injury.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155909

House Bill 4353: Mandate schools have epi-pens
Introduced by Rep. Lisa Lyons (R) on February 28, 2013, to require public schools to have at least one or two staffers depending on the schools size who are trained in the administration of an epinephrine auto injector, and to have at least two of these epi-pens on site. This is a syringe prefilled with epinephrine which is used to treat anaphylactic reactions.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155911

House Bill 4354: Require gross negligence for suits against emergency room physicians
Introduced by Rep. John Walsh (R) on February 28, 2013, to restrict medical malpractice lawsuits against emergency room physicians to cases of gross negligence.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155913

House Bill 4355: Revise condominium audit standards
Introduced by Rep. Paul D. Clemente (D) on February 28, 2013, to allow required annual audits required of condominium association to choose by majority vote to not meet certain standards recommended by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, if the association has annual revenues of less than $100,000.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155914

House Bill 4357: Exempt veterans associations from some property tax
Introduced by Rep. Kurt Heise (R) on February 28, 2013, to exempt from personal property taxes the tools and equipment of veterans associations if their total value in a particular jurisdiction is less than $100,000.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155917

28
posted on 03/05/2013 6:48:17 PM PST
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

House Bill 4069: Expand forest property tax breaks
Passed 98 to 12 in the House on March 19, 2013, to not impose a property tax “recapture charge assessed when property is withdrawn from a program granting tax exemptions to owners of large tracts of forest generally grown for “industrial” uses (like paper mills), if the property is entered into a similar “qualified forest” tax break program for private owners of smaller parcels. The program for the larger “industrial” forests requires owners to grant public recreational access, while the small-owner one does not. See also House Bill 4320.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=654664

House Bill 4243: Revise forest property tax breaks
Passed 95 to 15 in the House on March 19, 2013, to revise the formula used to calculate the property tax recapture rate assessed when productive forestland is withdrawn from a program granting property tax exemptions to owners of smaller “non-industrial” sized parcels of forestland, with the rate depending on whether timber has been harvested on the property. See also House Bills 4069 and 4320.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=654665

House Bill 4244: Revise forest property tax breaks
Passed 95 to 15 in the House on March 19, 2013, to revise details of the procedures and fees used by forest property owners to get certain forest property tax breaks, so that these conform to the changes and expansion of the program proposed by House Bill 4243.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=654666

House Bill 4320: Expand forest property tax breaks
Passed 94 to 16 in the House on March 19, 2013, to expand the eligibility for certain forest property tax breaks to owners of smaller parcels (a separate program gives breaks to large “industrial” forest tracts), double the number of acres eligible for these smaller “qualified forest” tax breaks from 1.2 million to 2.4 million statewide, authorize a new 2 mill property tax on property in this program that would go to proposed “Private Forestland Enhancement Fund” to subsidize private forestland management activities, and revise other details of this program.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=654667

House Bill 4321: Expand forest property tax breaks
Passed 95 to 15 in the House on March 19, 2013, to earmark to a proposed private forestland enhancement fund the tax revenue that is recaptured from a parcel which had been eligible for certain commercial forest property tax breaks but no longer meets the eligibility criteria. See also House Bill 4320.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=654668

House Bill 4322: Expand forest property tax breaks
Passed 93 to 17 in the House on March 19, 2013, to revise details of the procedures and fees used by forest property owners to get certain forest property tax breaks, so that these conform to the changes and expansion of the program proposed by House Bill 4320.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=654669

House Bill 4323: Expand forest property tax breaks
Passed 99 to 11 in the House on March 19, 2013, to expand the powers and duties of the 79 government conservation district authorities in the state, among other things giving them a role in granting the extensive property tax breaks for forestland owners which House Bill 4320 would expand and modify.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=654670

House Bill 4324: Expand forest property tax breaks
Passed 100 to 10 in the House on March 19, 2013, to expand to privately owned forestland a state program in which farms are inspected and their compliance with certain conservation, environmental risk, soil nutrient protocols, etc. is verified, giving them qualified exemptions from certain environmental law penalties. See also House Bill 4320.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=654671

House Bill 4325: Revise DNR and Agriculture Department mission statements
Passed 99 to 11 in the House on March 19, 2013, to explicitly include among the duties of the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture that they work together to jointly promote forestry and development of the states forest products industry.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=654672

House Bill 4337: Authorize Ducks Unlimited fundraising plate
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on March 19, 2013, to require the Secretary of State to develop a Ducks Unlimited fundraising license plate, with most of the fees collected for the plate going to the Michigan Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, and some spent on wetland conservation “education and outreach” campaigns.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=654551

29
posted on 03/22/2013 4:19:26 AM PDT
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

Senate Bill 19: Revise mortgage licensure law detail
Passed 109 to 1 in the House on March 20, 2013, to revise details of the selection of representatives of the mortgage industry for a government mortgage industry advisory board that advises a state “commissioner of the office of financial and insurance regulation,” but does not itself have any regulatory authority.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=654946

Senate Bill 31: Revise regulation of trusts detail
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on March 20, 2013, to establish that a trustee of a trust has an insurable interest in the life of an individual insured under a life insurance policy owned by the trustee acting in a fiduciary capacity for the trust, given certain conditions specified in the bill.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=654863

Senate Bill 32: Revise regulation of trusts detail
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on March 20, 2013, to establish that a trustee of a trust has an insurable interest in the life of an individual insured under a life insurance policy owned by the trustee acting in a fiduciary capacity for the trust, given certain conditions specified in the bill.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=654864

Senate Bill 65: Revise income tax withholding detail
Passed 107 to 3 in the House on March 20, 2013, to revise details of the statute requiring employee income tax payments for businesses categorized as a flow-through entity.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=654945

Senate Bill 95: Repeal right-to-work
The motion passed 26 to 9 in the Senate on March 19, 2013, to postpone any action on a Democratic motion to discharge the bill from committee and bring the bill directly to the full Senate until the very last day of 2013 session, which is generally a pro-forma session in which substantive measures are not voted on.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=654641

Senate Bill 96: Repeal right-to-work
The motion passed 26 to 9 in the Senate on March 19, 2013, to postpone any action on a Democratic motion to discharge the bill from committee and bring the bill directly to the full Senate until the very last day of 2013 session, which is generally a pro-forma session in which substantive measures are not voted on.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=654642

Senate Bill 178: Revise insurance drug pre-approval details
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on March 20, 2013, to require insurance companies that require prior authorization for prescription drug reimbursements to use a standardized prior authorization form.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=654865

Senate Bill 179: Revise insurance drug pre-approval details
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on March 20, 2013, to require Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance policies that require prior authorization for prescription drug reimbursements to use a standardized prior authorization form.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=654866

Senate Bill 219: Designate veteran status on state ID card if requested
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on March 20, 2013, to require the Secretary of State to designate on state identification cares whether the card holder is a military veteran, if this is requested by a veteran who has specified documents proving this status.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=654862

Senate Bill 233: Appropriate $23.5 million for state land acquisitions and recreation projects
The amendment passed by voice vote in the House on March 20, 2013, to specify that money the bill appropriates to research criminal sentencing reform be used for a contract with the Council of State Governments to continue a review of the length of prison stays and parole board discretion in this state.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155877

Senate Bill 233: Appropriate $23.5 million for state land acquisitions and recreation projects
Passed 107 to 3 in the House on March 20, 2013, to appropriate $23.3 million from the state Natural Resources Trust Fund for various land acquisitions and recreation projects, $21 million in non-NRTF money for dredging public boating access sites and harbors, and another $3 million for a veterans benefits initiative. State oil and gas well royalty money is earmarked to the NRTF.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=654983

Senate Bill 236: Revise legal notice publishing detail
Passed 35 to 2 in the Senate on March 20, 2013, to make permanent a provision allowing annual cost-of-living increases in the rates that newspapers may charge for publishing legal notices from matters arising out of court proceedings that are required by law to be published.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=654867

Senate Bill 252: Authorize state subsidies for marina dredging projects
Passed 106 to 4 in the House on March 20, 2013, to appropriate $1 million for state subsidies to private marinas for harbor dredging. The state would pay 5 percent of bank loans of up to $500,000 per marina.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=654984

Senate Bill 256: Revise state supply chain management development commission
Passed 36 to 1 in the Senate on March 20, 2013, to revise details of a 2008 law that created a state supply chain management development commission with the mission of developing a road map for attracting, supporting, marketing, and growing the international trade, supply chain, and logistics industries. The bill would change the name of this entity, move it from the Department of Treasury to the Michigan Strategic Fund agency, allow this entity to be funded with state tax and fee revenue (rather than just federal or other funds), and more.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=654868

Senate Bill 264: Accelerate dredging permit processing deadlines
Passed 35 to 0 in the Senate on March 21, 2013, to accelerate the deadline for the state to process a dredging permit, and reduce the fees if the dredged material is at least 90 percent sand.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=655146

House Bill 4093: Eliminate .08 BAC drunk driving sunset
Passed 110 to 0 in the House on March 20, 2013, to make permanent the 2003 decrease in the drunk driving intoxication threshold (from .10 to .08 grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood) mandated by the federal government as a condition of federal road funding.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=654943

House Bill 4127: Require GPS tether for “assaultive crime” bail
Passed 109 to 1 in the House on March 21, 2013, to specifically authorize GPS tether monitoring of defendants on bail for any assaultive crime, at the discretion of the judge.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=655370

House Bill 4131: Eliminate .08 BAC drunk driving sunset
Passed 110 to 0 in the House on March 20, 2013, to eliminate the 2013 sunset on the .08 grams per 100 milliliters blood-alcohol-content (BAC) threshold for drunk driving offences. Under current law, on Oct. 1, 2013 the limit returns to .10 grams per 100 milliliters. This bill amends the state sentencing guidelines law; see also House Bill 4093.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=654944

House Bill 4177: Revise vulnerable adult abuse law detail
Passed 110 to 0 in the House on March 21, 2013, to clarify a reference to vulnerable adult abuse in the first degree murder statute. The bill would define first-degree murder as murder perpetrated in the commission of not just first degree vulnerable adult abuse, but also second degree.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=655371

House Bill 4264: Allow consecutive sentences for financial exploitation crime
Passed 102 to 8 in the House on March 21, 2013, to allow sentences imposed for committing certain financial exploitation crimes against a vulnerable or incapacitated adult to be served consecutively with sentences imposed for other violations of this statute. Consecutively means “back-to-back” sentences, as opposed to “concurrently,” which means sentences are served at the same time.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=655369

House Bill 4274: Revise insurance drug pre-approval details
Passed 102 to 7 in the House on March 21, 2013, to require Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance policies that require prior authorization for prescription drug reimbursements to use a standardized prior authorization form.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=655344

House Bill 4275: Revise insurance drug pre-approval details
Passed 101 to 8 in the House on March 21, 2013, to require insurance companies that require prior authorization for prescription drug reimbursements to use a standardized prior authorization form.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=655345

House Bill 4277: Require expeditious liquor license issue
Passed 109 to 1 in the House on March 21, 2013, to require the Liquor Control Commission to issue a conditional liquor license for a new beer-and-wine retail merchant, or the transfer of an existing restaurant or bar’s license, within 20 days of an applicant submitting all the necessary paperwork, fees, proof of financial responsibility, etc. This license would expire after one year, or when the regular license is approved or denied, whichever comes first.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=655361

House Bill 4369: Codify education achievement authority for failed schools
The amendment passed by voice vote in the House on March 20, 2013, to phase-in an eventual cap of 50 on the number of academically-failed schools the authority could manage.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=156558

House Bill 4369: Codify education achievement authority for failed schools
Passed 57 to 53 in the House on March 21, 2013, to codify in statute the powers and structure of a state education achievement authority (already created by means of an administrative interlocal agreement), which is an office in the Department of Education tasked with managing, overseeing or contracting-out the operations of public schools deemed to have failed academically.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=655375

House Bill 4376: Repeal proprietary school solicitor permit mandate
Passed 109 to 1 in the House on March 21, 2013, to repeal a law that requires an individual operating as a proprietary school solicitor to obtain a permit from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Solicitors are responsible for recruiting potential students to proprietary schools that provide training in a specific trade, occupation or vocational field.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=655362

House Bill 4377: Repeal community planner registration mandate
Passed 95 to 15 in the House on March 21, 2013, to repeal a registration mandate imposed on professional community planners who prepare government land use plans.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=655363

House Bill 4378: Repeal interior designer registration
Passed 110 to 0 in the House on March 21, 2013, to repeal a law that establishes a government interior designer registry and makes it available to state or local government agencies. To be included on the registry a designer must have passed a test created by a national organization of incumbent interior designers. This organization has sought repeatedly in this state to impose a full licensure and regulatory regime on interior designers, with several bills introduced in previous legislatures. The bill was amended to leave in place a peculiar provision “allowing” interior designers to provide design services (explicit government permission is generally not required to practice a non-licensed occupation in this country).
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=655364

House Bill 4379: Repeal registration for foresters
Passed 105 to 5 in the House on March 21, 2013, to repeal statutory references to registered foresters. House Bill 4281 would repeal registration provisions for foresters.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=655365

House Bill 4380: Repeal registration for foresters
Passed 105 to 5 in the House on March 21, 2013, to repeal statutory references to registered foresters. House Bill 4281 would repeal registration provisions for foresters.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=655366

House Bill 4381: Repeal registration for foresters
Passed 105 to 5 in the House on March 21, 2013, to repeal a law that provides for government registration of foresters. Individuals are prohibited from using the title of registered forester unless they have graduated from an accredited college or university and have two or more years of forestry work experience.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=655367

House Bill 4392: Repeal ocularist registration
Passed 105 to 5 in the House on March 21, 2013, to repeal a law that provides for the registration of ocularists and ocularist apprentices, who design, fabricate, and fit ocular prosthetic appliances, or artificial eyes.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=655368

House Bill 4398: Reduce certain dredging permit fees and restrictions
Passed 33 to 2 in the Senate on March 21, 2013, to reduce the permit fees for dredging projects where 90 percent of the dredge material is shown to be sand, and allow the Department of Environmental Quality to bypass a 20-day objection period and issue permits if emergency conditions exist. This and House Bill 4400 reduce the fees, and House Bill 4399 allows the objection period waiver.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=655147

House Bill 4399: Reduce certain dredging permit fees and restrictions
Passed 34 to 1 in the Senate on March 21, 2013, to reduce the permit fees for dredging projects where 90 percent of the dredge material is shown to be sand, and allow the Department of Environmental Quality to bypass a 20-day objection period and issue permits if emergency conditions exist. This bill allows the objection period waiver, and House Bill 4400 reduces the fees.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=655148

30
posted on 03/23/2013 4:12:51 AM PDT
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

Senate Bill 92: Impose licensure on pharmacy assistants
Passed 35 to 1 in the Senate on April 9, 2013, to impose licensure and regulation on “pharmacy technicians” (assistants), with license fees, continuing education requirements, test-taking mandates and more.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=657894

Senate Bill 165: Require disclosure of medical futility policies
Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on April 9, 2013, to require a hospital, health facility or agency that maintains a written policy that encourages or allows a health care professional to withhold or discontinue treatment on the grounds of “medical futility” to provide a copy of the policy to the patient or resident upon request.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=657893

House Bill 4026: Require review and posting of inter-government agreements
Passed 109 to 0 in the House on April 10, 2013, to require that before a state agency or a local government enters a cross-border memorandum of understanding, agreement, compact, or similar binding agreement with the federal government or another state, it must do a review to determine it does not exceed its authority or violate the state constitution. Information on each agreement would also be forwarded to the Attorney General (who would not be required to do anything with it) and posted on a state web site. Existing agreements that are legally binding would also have to be posted on this state website. In 2012, Gov. Rick Snyder vetoed a nearly identical bill that passed the legislature with no votes in opposition.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=658431

House Bill 4045: Revise electricians license law detail
Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on April 9, 2013, to revise details of the law that imposes licensure mandates on electricians and fire alarm specialty technicians and authorizes apprenticeship programs to qualify people for these licenses. Among other things the bill would repeal a requirement that apprenticeship programs must have requirements equivalent to certain federal ones.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=657895

House Bill 4081: Authorize Alzheimer’s Association tax checkoff
Passed 108 to 1 in the House on April 10, 2013, to allow an individual to choose to automatically contribute $5 or more from his or her state income tax refund to provide grants to the Michigan Alzheimer’s Association. The checkoff would have the effect of reducing the amount of a persons tax refund. A person not receiving a refund could use his or her tax return to contribute to the program.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=658370

House Bill 4082: Authorize Alzheimer’s association tax checkoff
Passed 108 to 1 in the House on April 10, 2013, to allow an individual to choose to automatically contribute $5 or more from his or her state income tax refund to provide grants to the Michigan Alzheimer’s Association. The checkoff would have the effect of reducing the amount of a persons tax refund. A person not receiving a refund could use his or her tax return to contribute to the program.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=658371

House Bill 4084: Authorize Lou Gehrig’s disease income tax checkoff
Passed 108 to 1 in the House on April 10, 2013, to allow an individual to choose to automatically contribute $5 or more from his or her state income tax refund to provide government subsidies to research or clinics treating persons with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease”). The checkoff would have the effect of reducing the amount of a persons tax refund. A person not receiving a refund could use his or her tax return to contribute to the program.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=658372

House Bill 4085: Authorize Lou Gehrig’s disease income tax checkoff
Passed 108 to 1 in the House on April 10, 2013, to allow an individual to choose to automatically contribute $5 or more from his or her state income tax refund to provide government subsidies to research or clinics treating persons with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease”). The checkoff would have the effect of reducing the amount of a persons tax refund. A person not receiving a refund could use his or her tax return to contribute to the program.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=658373

House Bill 4166: Impose regulations on amateur mixed martial competitions
Passed 106 to 3 in the House on April 10, 2013, to establish sentencing guidelines for violations the Michigan amateur mixed martial arts regulatory act proposed by House Bill 4167.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=658369

House Bill 4167: Impose regulations on amateur mixed martial competitions
Passed 106 to 3 in the House on April 10, 2013, to impose impose regulations, licensure mandates and fees on amateur mixed martial arts competitions. The bill establishes a new comprehensive regulatory regime. Among other things, it would prohibit pros from participating in an amateur event, mandate licensing and fees for promoters, authorize criminal penalties for violations, mandate insuruance coverage levels, and more.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=658368

House Bill 4262: Revise ban on carrying dangerous weapons
Passed 107 to 2 in the House on April 9, 2013, to revise details of the law prohibiting carrying concealed weapons with unlawful intent. The new language would replace references to specific types of blades with language prohibit carrying an object designed, manufactured, or intended to be used to cause death or injury. The bill also clarifies that the prohibition does not apply to weapons being transported to the field if they are securely encased and not readily accessible for immediate use.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=658082

31
posted on 04/11/2013 4:00:16 PM PDT
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

Senate Bill 123: Expand local convention facility authorities
Passed 100 to 10 in the House on April 11, 2013, to allow the Grand Rapids and Kent County convention facility authorities to borrow and spend more to build or buy a second facility, including a “market” or a sports facility (which could mean an arena or stadium). The bill would also eliminate the 12 year term limits on members of these entities’ boards.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=658660

Senate Bill 257: Expand Business Improvement Zone tax-and-spend entities
Passed 35 to 2 in the Senate on April 11, 2013, to expand the items that a Business Improvement Zone can spend money on, reduce the number of property owners in the district able to impose a zone’s tax and spending powers, increase the number needed to dissolve them, increase the duration of the zones, reduce certain notification requirements required to establish one of these zones, allow the “zone” to sell services to particular property owners in the district, increase penalties for not paying the “special assessments” it imposes, and make other changes. These zones may be created by owners of a majority of the property in a certain area (not the same as the majority of owners), and have the power to impose property taxes (special assessments) to pay for the debt the zone incurs to pay for projects that are supposed to benefit the property owners.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=658628

House Bill 4052: Revise travel trailer financing regulation
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on April 11, 2013, to extend the laws and regulations that apply to motor vehicle loans and financing to include non-motorized recreational travel trailers, and no longer regulate these sales under the law that governs financing of non-vehicle product purchases.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=658629

House Bill 4053: Revise travel trailer financing regulation
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on April 11, 2013, to extend the laws and regulations that apply to motor vehicle loans and financing to include non-motorized recreational travel trailers, and no longer regulate these sales under the law that governs financing of non-vehicle product purchases.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=658630

House Bill 4139: Eliminate peace bonds
Passed 88 to 22 in the House on April 11, 2013, to repeal a section of criminal law that authorizes a judge to order a peace bond from an individual who has threatened to commit an offense against the person or property of another. This is not the same as the much more common “personal protection orders” used in domestic violence, stalking and similar cases, and there are concerns that peace bonds have been used to abridge individuals’ free speech rights.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=658659

32
posted on 04/12/2013 7:56:42 PM PDT
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

Senate Bill 35: Authorize criminal penalties for nonpayment of administrative hearing bureau fines
Passed 35 to 1 in the Senate on April 18, 2013, to authorize additional penalties for failing to pay fines imposed by administrative hearing bureaus that most cities are allowed to create for enforcing “blight violations” under a 2003 law. Under that law, cities already have the power to place a lien against the property. The bill would authorize additional fines of $500, 93 days in jail for a second offense, and up to a year for a third offense.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=659555

Senate Bill 36: Authorize penalties for nonpayment of administrative hearing bureau fines
Passed 35 to 1 in the Senate on April 18, 2013, to allow a local government to ban giving an approval required under a local zoning ordinance to a property owner who has failed to pay fines imposed by administrative hearing bureaus that most cities are allowed to create for enforcing “blight violations” under a 2003 law. Under that law, cities already have the power to place a lien against the property. Senate Bill 35 would also authorize jail time for second offenses.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=659556

Senate Bill 37: Authorize penalties for nonpayment of administrative hearing bureau fines
Passed 35 to 1 in the Senate on April 18, 2013, to allow a local government to ban giving an approval required under a building code ordinance to a property owner who has failed to pay fines imposed by administrative hearing bureaus that most cities are allowed to create for enforcing “blight violations” under a 2003 law. Under that law, cities already have the power to place a lien against the property.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=659557

Senate Bill 38: Authorize wage garnishment for nonpayment of administrative hearing bureau fines
Passed 35 to 1 in the Senate on April 18, 2013, to allow a local government to garnish the wages of a property owner who has failed to pay fines imposed by administrative hearing bureaus that most cities are allowed to create for enforcing “blight violations” under a 2003 law. Under that law, cities already have the power to place a lien against the property.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=659558

Senate Bill 39: Authorize foreclosure for nonpayment of administrative hearing bureau fines
Passed 35 to 1 in the Senate on April 18, 2013, to allow a local government to foreclose on property owned by a person who has failed to pay fines imposed by administrative hearing bureaus that most cities are allowed to create for enforcing “blight violations” under a 2003 law. Under that law, cities already have the power to place a lien against the property. Senate Bill 35 would also authorize jail time for second offenses.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=659559

Senate Bill 108: Authorize a memorial highway designation
Passed 109 to 0 in the House on April 18, 2013, to designate a portion of I-94 in Kalamazoo county as the “Officer Eric Zapata Memorial Highway.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=659733

Senate Bill 218: Expand borrow-and-spend “water resource improvement authorities”
Passed 92 to 16 in the House on April 18, 2013, to eliminate the sunset on local governments creating new water resource improvement authoritieswhich use extra property tax levies and tax increment financing schemes to divert other taxing units’ property tax revenue to cover debt service payments on debt they incur for various recreation and development projects. The bill would also expand the scope of activities and geographic limits of these entities, letting them borrow and spend for dredging among other things.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=659732

Senate Bill 243: Use constitutional waterway fund money for dredging
Passed 27 to 7 in the Senate on April 17, 2013, to require that, for the next three years only, at least half the money spent by a state waterways account (to which the state constitution earmarks certain fuel tax and water-recreation related fee revenue) for boat harbor dredging and breakwalls.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=659404

House Bill 4002: Increase interest to taxpayers owed refunds
Passed 107 to 0 in the House on April 18, 2013, to require the state to pay 3 percent in interest (annual rate) to a taxpayer who is due a tax refund because of an overpayment (including excessive “withholding”), starting 60 days after the claim is filed.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=659725

House Bill 4126: Revise horseback riding liability waiver
Passed 59 to 48 in the House on April 18, 2013, to revise a law limiting the liability of stables and equine event organizers for injury, death or property damage resulting from an inherent risk of an equine activity, by changing an exception allowing suits for negligence so that it instead only allows suits for willful and wanton disregard for participants’ safety.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=659727

House Bill 4138: Prohibit Michigan National Guard executing federal indefinite detention
Passed 109 to 0 in the House on April 18, 2013, to prohibit members of the Michigan National Guard or other state and local government employees from participating in the investigation, prosecution, or detention of any person under a recent federal law giving the current or a future President the power to order the indefinite detention of persons arrested on U.S. soil, without charge or trial (section 1021 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Year 2012).
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=659734

House Bill 4147: Revise basis of public-safety special assessment levies
Passed 57 to 50 in the House on April 18, 2013, to allow local “special assessment” property taxes that are imposed on top of regular property taxes and earmarked for police and fire services to be levied on a flat-rate per parcel basis, rather than the assessed value of each parcel (which is called ad valorem in the tax laws). Special assessments were originally intended to only fund improvements that especially benefit properties within a certain “district,” but today are often imposed for core government services like public safety, and differ little from regular property taxes, except they are not subject to a vote of the people and other constitutional restrictions.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=659726

House Bill 4303: Authorize other-state funeral director license reciprocity
Passed 108 to 0 in the House on April 18, 2013, to recognize as valid in Michigan a license in the field of mortuary science or funeral directing issued by Indiana, Ohio, or Wisconsin that has substantially the same standards. This would apply for up to two years, when presumably the person would get a Michigan license.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=659731

House Bill 4329: Authorize other-state funeral director license reciprocity
Passed 108 to 0 in the House on April 18, 2013, to authorize fees for the limited funeral director license proposed by House Bill 4303.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=659729

House Bill 4330: Authorize other-state funeral director license reciprocity
Passed 107 to 0 in the House on April 18, 2013, to recognize as valid in Michigan a license in the field of mortuary science or funeral directing issued by Indiana, Ohio, or Wisconsin that has substantially the same standards. This would apply for up to two years, when presumably the person would get a Michigan license. House Bill 4303 contains the main part of this proposal.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=659728

House Bill 4382: Allow guardians to execute do-not-resuscitate orders
Passed 107 to 0 in the House on April 18, 2013, to revise various court procedures and definitions to reflect the guardian-signed do-not-resuscitate orders proposed by House Bill 4384.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=659730

House Bill 4383: Allow guardians to execute do-not-resuscitate orders
Passed 108 to 1 in the House on April 18, 2013, to revise statutory references to reflect the guardian-signed do-not-resuscitate orders proposed by House Bill 4384.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=659735

House Bill 4384: Allow guardians to execute do-not-resuscitate orders
Passed 108 to 1 in the House on April 18, 2013, to essentially grant the court-appointed guardian of an incapacitated person the authority to sign a do-not-resuscitate order, subject to various restrictions and procedures, including expanded provisions allowing any interested person who objects to petition for a court review. When appointing a guardian for a individual who does not have a lawyer he or she has selected, a court-appointed guardian ad litem would have to inform the individual that the actual guardian would have this power.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=659736

33
posted on 04/19/2013 1:05:43 PM PDT
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

House Bill 4583: Authorize termination of parental rights upon child rape conviction
Introduced by Rep. Joel Johnson (R) on April 18, 2013, to authorize the termination of parental rights and child custody dispute visitation rights for a parent or legal guardian who is convicted and sentenced for child rape, if the sentencing court finds this in the best interest of the child.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158647

House Bill 4584: Authorize termination of grandparent rights upon child rape conviction
Introduced by Rep. Joel Johnson (R) on April 18, 2013, to authorize the termination of any grandparent rights related to child custody disputes for a grandparent convicted and sentenced for child rape, if the sentencing court finds this in the best interest of the child.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158648

House Bill 4585: Authorize paperless architect, engineer and surveyor filings
Introduced by Rep. Rob VerHeulen (R) on April 18, 2013, to authorize the use by architects, professional engineers, and surveyors of electronic versions of the official seals that attest their licensed status on documents that they file electronically with public authorities.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158649

House Bill 4586: Revise business tax detail
Introduced by Rep. Patrick Somerville (R) on April 18, 2013, to revise a business tax law look-back period detail related to the state tax filing responsibilities of business entities that previously were not required to file a tax return but then are required due to changes in state rules. See this House Fiscal Agency summary for details.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158650

House Bill 4587: Allow family member to get disabled veteran plate
Introduced by Rep. Jon Switalski (D) on April 18, 2013, to allow the spouse, parent, sibling, or child of a totally disabled armed services veteran to get a disabled veteran special license plate.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158651

House Bill 4588: Exempt police and firefighters from property tax
Introduced by Rep. Kurt Heise (R) on April 18, 2013, to exempt police and firefighters from property tax on their principle residence if they live in the same community in which they are employed. A 1999 law prohibited local governments from imposing residency mandates on police and firefighters, and a number of bills have been introduced since to partially repeal that preemption.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158652

House Bill 4589: Revise foster care adoption rules
Introduced by Rep. Kurt Heise (R) on April 18, 2013, to revise details of child foster care and adoption procedures, to among other things, prohibit the adoption of a foster care child by a foster care home or parents if they have been determined to be unsuitable to continue providing foster care.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158653

House Bill 4590: Authorize new specialty plate; give profits to particular organization
Introduced by Rep. Joseph Haveman (R) on April 18, 2013, to authorize a new specialty license plate, with the profits delivered to an entity that calls itself First in Michigan.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158654

House Bill 4591: Exempt home monitoring system installers from electrician licensure mandate
Introduced by Rep. Aric Nesbitt (R) on April 18, 2013, to establish that an electricians license is not required for a registered or licensed security alarm provider or contractor to install a home monitoring system, defined as one that lets a person remotely monitor their home through audio, video, or sensor detection systems and that may allow them to remotely control the home’s environment, including controlling temperature, humidity, lighting, doors, locks and more.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158655

House Bill 4592: Exempt home thermostat installers from mechanical contractor licensure
Introduced by Rep. Bradford Jacobsen (R) on April 18, 2013, mandate to establish that an mechanical contractors license is not required for a registered or licensed security alarm provider or contractor to install a home thermostat.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158656

House Bill 4593: Expand scrap metal regulatory regime
Introduced by Rep. Paul Muxlow (R) on April 18, 2013, to expand the regulations imposed on scrap metal dealers under a 2008 law that imposed regulations and record keeping requirements on sales of nonferrous scrap metal.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158657

House Bill 4594: Expand scrap metal regulatory regime
Introduced by Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D) on April 18, 2013, to expand the scope of a 2008 law imposed regulations and record keeping requirements on dealers who buy and sell nonferrous scrap metal. The bill wood expand these to include transactions involving a larger range of items.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158658

House Bill 4595: Expand scrap metal theft law scope
Introduced by Rep. Jim Ananich (D) on April 18, 2013, to expand penalties authorized for stealing nonferrous metals such as copper, brass, aluminum, bronze, lead, zinc, or nickel, so they apply to any scrap metal theft.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158659

House Bill 4596: Revise county veterans affairs committee detail
Introduced by Rep. Sam Singh (D) on April 18, 2013, to require appointees to a county department of veterans’ affairs administration committee to be recommended by either county residents or a veterans service organization.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158660

House Bill 4597: Restrict health insurance abortion coverage
Introduced by Rep. Amanda Price (R) on April 18, 2013, to prohibit health care providers from accepting health insurance reimbursements from a health policy that covers abortion unless the coverage is added as an optional rider for which an additional premium has been paid.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158661

House Bill 4598: Prohibit coercing a woman to have an abortion
Introduced by Rep. Amanda Price (R) on April 18, 2013, to make it a crime to coerce or attempt to coerce a woman into having an abortion. In addition to potential prison for threats of violence or “stalking,” the bill authorizes penalties for acts like threatening divorce or other living arrangement changes, threatening to withhold current or promised support, etc.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158662

House Bill 4599: Prohibit coercing a woman to have an abortion
Introduced by Rep. Nancy Jenkins (R) on April 18, 2013, to establish sentencing guidelines for the penalties proposed by House Bill 4598 for attempting to coerce a woman into having an abortion.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158663

34
posted on 04/24/2013 3:55:04 AM PDT
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

Senate Bill 182: Appropriations: K-12 School Aid budget
The amendment failed 18 to 18 in the Senate on April 24, 2013, to not use tax revenues earmarked to the state School Aid Fund in the university and community college budgets, but instead use non-earmarked revenue. Although the state constitution explicitly authorizes using SAF money for higher education, the public school establishment contends that the 1994 Proposal A initiative earmarking a sales tax increase to the SAF means it can only be used for K-12 schools.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=660910

Senate Bill 182: Appropriations: K-12 School Aid budget
Passed 21 to 15 in the Senate on April 24, 2013, the Senate version of the K-12 school aid budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct 1, 2013. It would appropriate $13.225 billion for K-12 public schools, compared to $12.944 billion this year.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=660922

Senate Bill 187: Appropriations: Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Passed 33 to 3 in the Senate on April 24, 2013, the Senate version of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs budget for the fiscal year that begins on Oct. 1, 201]. This would appropriate $162.5 million in gross spending, compared to $170.0 million the previous year. Of this, $89.7 million is from federal funds.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=660900

Senate Bill 188: Appropriations: Department of Natural Resources
Passed 26 to 10 in the Senate on April 24, 2013, the Senate version of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, 2013. This would appropriate $339.8 million in gross spending, compared to $337.8 million, which was the FY 2012-2013 amount enrolled in 2012. Of this, $67.1 million is federal money, and the rest is from state taxes, fees, fines, royalties, etc..
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=660892

Senate Bill 196: Appropriations: Department of Education
Passed 24 to 12 in the Senate on April 24, 2013, the Senate version of the Department of Education budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, 2012. This would appropriate $322.4 million (compared to $328.9 million the previous year), of which $232.4 million would come from the federal government.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=660908

House Bill 4228: Appropriations: Omnibus education budget
The substitute passed by voice vote in the House on April 23, 2013, to adopt a version of this budget that expresses the fiscal and policy preferences of the Republican-majority in the House on various spending items and programs.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=154242

House Bill 4228: Appropriations: Omnibus education budget
Passed 58 to 52 in the House on April 24, 2013, the House version of the non-education portion of the state government budget for the fiscal year that begins on Oct. 1, 2013. (House Bill 4228 contains K-12 school, college and university spending.) This would appropriate $33.918 billion, compared to $34.018 billion the previous year. Of this, $15.802 billion comes from state tax, fee and other revenue, compared to $16.149 billion the previous year. The rest of this budget is federal money ($18.116 billion, compared to $17.869 billion the previous year).
The House budget does not include spending requested by the Governor from $1.2 billion in higher transportation taxes he has recommended, or $1.5 billion from the federal health care laws expansion of Medicaid, which would bring in more federal money in the short term but require higher state spending in a few years.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=661000

House Bill 4328: Appropriations: 2013-2014 omnibus budget
Passed 59 to 51 in the House on April 24, 2013, the House version of the K-12 school aid, community college and university budgets for the fiscal year that begins Oct 1, 2013. A separate House budget authorizes the rest of state government spending (House Bill 4328). This bill would appropriate $13.235 billion for K-12 public schools, compared to $12.944 billion this year. It also also appropriates $1.430 billion for state universities, compared to $1.399 billion this year. Community colleges would get $334 million, vs. $294 million this year.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=661002

Senate Bill 185: Appropriations: State Police
Passed 33 to 3 in the Senate on April 24, 2013, the Senate version of the State Police budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2013. This would appropriate $600.6 million in gross spending, compared to $577.9 million the previous year. Of this, $98.8 million is from federal revenue.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=660898

Senate Bill 195: Appropriations: Department f Environmental Quality
Passed 29 to 7 in the Senate on April 24, 2013, the Senate version of the Department of Environmental Quality budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, 2013. This would appropriate $510.6 million in gross spending, compared to $431.7 million, which was the amount appropriated the previous year. Of this, $150.9 million is federal money, and the rest is from state and local taxes and fees (including a 7/8 cent per gallon fuel tax). The large increase over the previous year’s budget is from a proposal to spend $97 million in borrowed money on grants and loans to municipalities for sewer upgrades and another $3 million for “wetland mitigation banks”.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=660894

Senate Bill 201: Appropriations: Department of Agriculture
Passed 32 to 4 in the Senate on April 24, 2013, the Senate version of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, 2013. This would appropriate $79.1 million in gross spending, compared to $76.9 million in the prior year’s budget. Of this, $9.7 million is federal money, and the rest is from state and local taxes and fees.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=660888

Senate Bill 288: Give NRC duty of designating huntable game species
Passed 25 to 11 in the Senate on April 25, 2013, to give the state Natural Resources Commission (in addition to the Legislature) the power to designate a species as a huntable game species. Also, to allow members of the military to obtain hunting and fishing licenses for free. The bill was changed on the floor to prohibit the commission from designating mourning doves as a game species, and to remove a modest appropriation intended to make it “referendum-proof”.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=661229

House Bill 4054: Revise pension in divorce case rules
Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on April 24, 2013, to revise procedural details related to an eligible domestic relations order,” which refers to a court order granting a former spouse a portion of a government employee’s pension payments.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=660901

House Bill 4093: Eliminate .08 BAC drunk driving sunset
Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on April 24, 2013, to make permanent the 2003 decrease in the drunk driving intoxication threshold (from .10 to .08 grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood) mandated by the federal government as a condition of federal road funding.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=660902

House Bill 4131: Eliminate .08 BAC drunk driving sunset
Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on April 24, 2013, to eliminate the 2013 sunset on the .08 grams per 100 milliliters blood-alcohol-content (BAC) threshold for drunk driving offences. Under current law, on Oct. 1, 2013 the limit returns to .10 grams per 100 milliliters. This bill amends the state sentencing guidelines law; see also House Bill 4093.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=660903

House Bill 4471: Exempt some schools from minimum instruction days mandate
Passed 109 to 1 in the House on April 24, 2013, to revise the law that requires public schools to provide a minimum of 1,098 hours and 170 days of instruction per year, by exempting schools that closures in the 2012-2013 school year for various reasons specified in the bill.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=661003

35
posted on 04/26/2013 3:55:10 AM PDT
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

Senate Joint Resolution S: Place right to fish, hunt and trap in Constitution
Passed 25 to 11 in the Senate on April 25, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a constitutional amendment to establish that the people have the right fish hunt and trap, and to harvest game and fish.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=661231

Senate Bill 43: Revise judgeships
Passed 108 to 0 in the House on April 25, 2013, to add a circuit court judgeship and phase-out a district court judgeship in Clinton County.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=661285

Senate Bill 178: Revise insurance drug pre-approval details
Passed 98 to 10 in the House on April 25, 2013, to require insurance companies that require prior authorization for prescription drug reimbursements to use a standardized prior authorization form.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=661289

Senate Bill 179: Revise insurance drug pre-approval details
Passed 97 to 11 in the House on April 25, 2013, to require Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance policies that require prior authorization for prescription drug reimbursements to use a standardized prior authorization form.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=661290

Senate Bill 193: Appropriations: Higher Education
The amendment failed 16 to 20 in the Senate on April 25, 2013, to not allocate a portion of each university’s money on the basis of best practices “incentive” measures.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=661233

Senate Bill 193: Appropriations: Higher Education
The amendment failed 12 to 24 in the Senate on April 25, 2013, to not use tax revenues earmarked to the state School Aid Fund in the higher education budget, but instead use non-earmarked (general fund) revenue. Although the state constitution explicitly authorizes using SAF money for higher education, the public school establishment contends that the 1994 Proposal A initiative earmarking a sales tax increase to the SAF means it can only be used for K-12 schools.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=661234

Senate Bill 193: Appropriations: Higher Education
Passed 21 to 15 in the Senate on April 25, 2013, the Senate version of the higher education budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2013. This would appropriate $1.430 billion in gross spending, compared to $1.399 billion the previous year.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=661237

Senate Bill 199: Appropriations: Community Colleges
The amendment failed 17 to 19 in the Senate on April 25, 2013, to not use tax revenues earmarked to the state School Aid Fund in community college budget, but instead use non-earmarked (general fund) revenue. Although the state constitution explicitly authorizes using SAF money for higher education, the public school establishment contends that the 1994 Proposal A initiative earmarking a sales tax increase to the SAF means it can only be used for K-12 schools.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=661216

Senate Bill 199: Appropriations: Community Colleges
Passed 21 to 15 in the Senate on April 25, 2013, the Senate version of the community colleges budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, 2013. This would appropriate $335.0 million in gross spending, compared to $294.1 million the previous year.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=661217

Senate Bill 289: Establish statutory right to hunt, fish, and take game
Passed 27 to 9 in the Senate on April 25, 2013, to establish a statutory right of individuals to hunt, fish, and take game, subject to state regulations and restrictions.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=661230

House Bill 4360: Authorize sanctions for accepting welfare bridge card for liquor sale
Passed 107 to 1 in the House on April 25, 2013, to suspend or revoke the liquor license of a store or bar that allows a person to use a welfare or food stamp bridge card to buy liquor or other non-eligible merchandise.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=661287

House Bill 4361: Authorize sanctions for accepting welfare bridge card lottery ticket sale
Passed 107 to 1 in the House on April 25, 2013, to suspend or revoke the state lottery sales license of a merchant who allows a person to use a welfare or food stamp bridge card to buy a lottery ticket.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=661288

House Bill 4393: Revise school ballot proposal filing deadline
Passed 108 to 0 in the House on April 25, 2013, to require a school board that wishes to submit a ballot question to the voters to adopt the resolution calling for this at least 12 weeks before the election, moving the current deadline back two weeks. Also, to require the same deadline for metropolitan district officer candidacy filings. Under current law the deadlines for these is 70 days.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=661291

House Bill 4395: Move back deadline to place local tax and bond issues on ballot
Passed 108 to 0 in the House on April 25, 2013, to revise a community swimming pool authority to place a 1 mill public swimming pool tax on the ballot at least 12 weeks before the election, moving the current deadline back two weeks. Under current law the deadline is 70 days before the vote.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=661292

House Bill 4396: Move back deadline to place local tax and bond issues on ballot
Passed 108 to 0 in the House on April 25, 2013, to require a local government to place an increased building authority debt request (bond issue) on the ballot at least 12 weeks before the election, moving the current deadline back two weeks. Under current law the deadline is 70 days before the vote.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=661293

House Bill 4397: Move back deadline to place local tax and bond issues on ballot
Passed 108 to 0 in the House on April 25, 2013, to require a metropolitan authority council to place a property tax increase request on the ballot at least 12 weeks before the election, moving the current deadline back two weeks. Under current law the deadline is 70 days before the vote.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=661294

House Bill 4532: Establish digital court records
Passed 106 to 2 in the House on April 25, 2013, to require all courts in the state to keep writs, processes, proceedings and records in a manner and medium to be determined by the state Supreme Court, which would include electronic records and signatures.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=661286

36
posted on 04/27/2013 3:46:17 AM PDT
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

Senate Bill 326: Allow less than unlimited auto crash injury insurance
Introduced by Sen. Virgil Smith, Jr. (D) on April 23, 2013, to allow auto insurance companies to offer limited, low-cost policies in which the personal injury protection (PIP) coverage is less than the mandatory unlimited coverage now provided by the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (and the price would be lower as well). This mandatory PIP coverage is billed as extra assessments on auto insurance bills. The bill would allow a customer to choose policies with a coverage cap of just $50,000.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158755

Senate Bill 327: Ban tax collector quotas
Introduced by Sen. David Robertson (R) on April 23, 2013, to establish that Department of Treasury tax collectors and third party contractors or agents are prohibited from using tax collection amount quotas and must apply tax laws and rules equally to all taxpayers.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158756

Senate Bill 328: Impose scalp hair prosthesis (wig) insurance mandate
Introduced by Sen. Steve Bieda (D) on April 24, 2013, to impose a new coverage mandate that would require health insurance company policies that cover any kind of prosthesis to also include coverage for a scalp hair prosthesis (wig) for a person who loses their hair as a result of a medical condition or treatment, without requiring any dollar limit, deductible or co-pay for these that does not apply to other treatments.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158781

Senate Bill 329: Ease certain winery and distiller restrictions
Introduced by Sen. Dave Hildenbrand (R) on April 24, 2013, to ease current restrictions on a wine maker, distiller or brandy manufacturer possessing real estate that is occupied by another vendor, which would make these restrictions the same as ones that now apply to brewers.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158782

Senate Bill 330: Increase state disaster fund deposits
Introduced by Sen. Tom Casperson (R) on April 24, 2013, to require the legislature to annually appropriate between $4 million and $8.5 million to a state disaster and emergency contingency fund; current statute requires between $30,000 and $750,000.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158783

Senate Bill 331: Repeal expanded emergency manager powers
Introduced by Sen. Coleman Young (D) on April 25, 2013, to repeal the 2012 law that greatly expanded the powers of emergency managers appointed by the state to reform the finances of fiscally failed school districts and municipalities.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158826

House Bill 4328: Appropriations: 2013-2014 omnibus budget
The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on April 23, 2013, to accept $1.530 billion in federal money to expand Medicaid eligibility under the terms of the federal health care law (”Obamacare”). The amnendment would shift $181 million in current state health care spending onto the federal budget, making those funds available for other purposes in the short-term, but the terms of the expansion would require more money from State of Michigan taxpayers in a few years.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155924

House Bill 4328: Appropriations: 2013-2014 omnibus budget
The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on April 23, 2013, to add-back $25 million in film producer subsidies that were stripped-out by another amendment, and instead increase the subsidies to $50 million.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155924

House Bill 4328: Appropriations: 2013-2014 omnibus budget
The amendment passed by voice vote in the House on April 23, 2013, to eliminate $25 million proposed for state film subsidies, and also to cut the amount appropriated for targeted corporate subsidies by $25 million, leaving $66.9 million in the budget for this purpose. The $50 million saved would instead be transferred to road funding. Also, to earmark any unspent appropriations at the end of the year to road projects, up to a maximum of $150 million.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155924

House Bill 4600: Exempt killed-in-service spouse from property tax
Introduced by Rep. Joseph Graves (R) on April 23, 2013, to exempt from property tax the principal residence that belongs to the spouse of a service member who was killed while serving in the military.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158764

House Bill 4603: Create government sickle cell awareness campaign
Introduced by Rep. Jim Ananich (D) on April 23, 2013, to require the Department of Community Health to create a sickle cell disease public awareness campaign and to coordinate services available from state, federal, and voluntary sickle cell disease programs.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158767

House Bill 4604: Subsidize free doctor care
Introduced by Rep. Jim Ananich (D) on April 23, 2013, to authorize a state income tax credit of up to $5,000 for free medical services donated by a physician to a patient who is not eligible for medical welfare (Medicaid). This would be a refundable credit, meaning that a check is sent to the taxpayer for the balance of the credit exceeding actual taxes owed.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158768

House Bill 4605: Establish that military experience meets EMT licensure requirements
Introduced by Rep. Gail Haines (R) on April 23, 2013, to establish that having recent and relevant military medical experience meets the criteria for obtaining an emergency medical technician license.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158769

House Bill 4606: Suspend truants drivers licenses
Introduced by Rep. Gail Haines (R) on April 23, 2013, to require courts to notify the Secretary of State of minors prosecuted for truancy, so the Secretary of State can suspend or withhold their drivers license for six months as proposed by House Bill 4607.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158770

House Bill 4607: Suspend truants drivers licenses
Introduced by Rep. Gail Haines (R) on April 23, 2013, to suspend for six months the drivers license of a minor who is prosecuted for willful and repeated school absence (or withhold a license from a minor who doesnt have one yet).http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158771

House Bill 4608: Increase registration tax on electric or alternate fuel vehicles
Introduced by Rep. Mike Shirkey (R) on April 23, 2013, to increase the annual vehicle registration tax for electric or alternate fuel vehicles, with increases ranging from $25 to $200 depending on all-electric vs. hybrid and on vehicle weight for trucks. Also, to cut the vehicle registration tax on cars with a list price under $45,000 that are over 10 years old, from 0.0036 percent of the list price annually, to 0.0024 percent.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158772

House Bill 4611: Increase mandate on utilities to reduce consumption
Introduced by Rep. Sam Singh (D) on April 23, 2013, to increase a mandate that requires electric and gas utilities to undertake programs intended to cause net consumption to fall each year. The bill would gradually make the mandates more stringent by requiring annual reductions of 2 percent for electricity and 1.5 percent for gas.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158775

House Bill 4612: Allow limited auto injury insurance; expand auto theft authority
Introduced by Rep. Pete Lund (R) on April 23, 2013, to allow auto insurance companies to offer policies in which the maximum coverage is $1 million. The current no-fault insurance law mandates unlimited personal injury coverage. Also, to expand the duties of a state automobile theft prevention authority to include insurance fraud. Finally, the bill would also replace a 1 percent health insurance claims tax intended to game the federal Medicaid system in ways that result in higher federal payments to Michigans medical welfare system, with a new $25 per vehicle annual auto insurance tax.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158776

House Bill 4613: Establish dead tenant procedures for landlords
Introduced by Rep. Margaret O’Brien (R) on April 24, 2013, to establish specific property entry procedures and notice requirements to be followed by a landlord who believes a tenant has died.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158790

House Bill 4614: Impose licensure on federal health care law navigators
Introduced by Rep. Mike Shirkey (R) on April 24, 2013, to impose licensure and regulation on the navigators authorized by the federal health care law (Obamacare) to assist persons applying for government-subsidized health insurance benefits through the administrative agency this law creates (called the exchange). The bill authorizes license fees, background checks, testing and training requirements, and more. Among other things it would prohibit an individual, firm or other entity licensed as a navigator from steering a person toward any particular insurance policy, as opposed to just providing information on the policies.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158791

House Bill 4615: Allow Wayne RESA tax hike votes on additional election dates
Introduced by Rep. John Walsh (R) on April 24, 2013, to repeal a provision that limits the Wayne County version of an intermediate school district (the Wayne RESA) to only holding a school enhancement millage (property tax increase) election on the statewide primary or general election dates.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158792

House Bill 4616: Waive drivers license fee for homeless
Introduced by Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D) on April 24, 2013, to waive the drivers license application fee for a person who is homeless as defined in the bill (which means the individual is getting benefits from a government or nonprofit entity).http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158793

House Bill 4617: Create state office of immigrant integration
Introduced by Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D) on April 24, 2013, to create a state office of immigrant integration to study the issue, make recommendations, and provide immigrants with access to information, resources, and services to assist their integration.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158794

House Bill 4618
Introduced by Rep. Jeff Irwin (D) on April 24, 2013, to charge in-state tuition at state universities and colleges to most resident aliens, including illegal aliens who entered the country as a child and have been granted a deferral from prosecution by an executive order styled after a proposed federal “dream act” law.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158795

House Bill 4619: Authorize drivers license for dream act eligible aliens and more
Introduced by Rep. Sam Singh (D) on April 24, 2013, to authorize giving a drivers license to an illegal alien who has “deferred status,” which means the individual entered the country as a child and has been granted a deferral from prosecution by an executive order styled after a proposed federal “dream act” law.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158796

House Bill 4620: Authorize state ID card for dream act eligible aliens
Introduced by Rep. Adam Zemke (D) on April 24, 2013, to authorize giving a state identification card to an illegal alien who has been granted a deferral from prosecution by an executive order styled after a proposed federal “dream act” law.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158797

House Bill 4621: Create pro-illegal alien document state government commission
Introduced by Rep. Brandon Dillon (D) on April 24, 2013, to create a new state government commission to assess the economic, social, and security impact of not issuing driver licenses and state identification cards to illegal aliens.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158798

House Bill 4622: Revise drain code district procedures
Introduced by Rep. Al Pscholka (R) on April 24, 2013, to revise details of the procedures for changing drainage district boundaries (and imposing the cost of new or repaired drains on particular property owners), including notice requirements and procedures for challenging proposed changes, plus details of the drainage districts interaction with the state transportation and agriculture departments.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158799

House Bill 4623: Repeal criminal penalties for marijuana possession
Introduced by Rep. Jeff Irwin (D) on April 24, 2013, to repeal criminal sanctions on possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana, and instead authorize a civil penalty of $25, and $50 to $100 for subsequent violations.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158800

House Bill 4624: Allow multi-department firefighter employment
Introduced by Rep. Joseph Haveman (R) on April 24, 2013, to prohibit fire department from prohibiting its firefighters from also working as a volunteer, part-time or paid on-call firefighter with another department, if this does not conflict with the original employment. Also, to make this issue a prohibited subject of collective bargaining between a fire department and an employee union.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158801

House Bill 4625: Base new teacher salaries primarily on student performance
Introduced by Rep. Pete Lund (R) on April 24, 2013, to require that going forward, the primary factor in setting compensation levels for all new public school teachers and administrators must be job performance and job accomplishments as determined by a rigorous, transparent, and fair evaluation system primarily based upon student growth data as measured by assessments and other objective criteria. Setting pay on the basis of seniority would be prohibited, and setting it on the basis of academic credentials would be restricted.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158802

House Bill 4626: Authorize land bank sanction and complaint process
Introduced by Rep. Ken Yonker (R) on April 25, 2013, to authorize administrative sanctions for a local government land bank that acquired tax reverted property in violation of the law authorizing these entities, and establish a complaint process whereby the state Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs would have to issue a written determination on a complaint filed by aggrieved party. If the ruling went against the land bank and was upheld by a circuit court, the director of the land bank would have to be fired. This relates to a recent Kent County incident in which the land bank and the local government appeared to cooperate in sidestepping a prohibition on the land bank acquiring tax reverted property before private entities had an opportunity to bid on it at a public tax auction.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158830

House Bill 4627: Exempt domestic partner vehicle transfer from use tax
Introduced by Rep. David E. Rutledge (D) on April 25, 2013, to expand a use tax exemption on the transfer of vehicles, ORVs, snowmobiles, or watercraft between family members, so that it also includes a transfer to a domestic partner. Use tax is levied at the same 6 percent rate as regular sales tax, but the revenue is allocated differently.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158831

House Bill 4629: Impose extra fees on electronic billboards
Introduced by Rep. Bradford Jacobsen (R) on April 25, 2013, to amend the state billboard law to authorize extra fees for digital signs, and revise a wide range of other details of this law.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158833

House Bill 4631: Increase penalty on delinquent hotel convention tax
Introduced by Rep. Wayne Schmidt (R) on April 25, 2013, to require a hotel or motel owner who is late paying a room tax of up to 5 percent imposed to pay for regional marketing schemes to also pay the attorney and court costs incurred collecting the tax, in addition to the 1.5 percent “delinquency charge” and 1.5 percent per month interest charge already authorized under current law.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158835

37
posted on 04/30/2013 7:15:11 PM PDT
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

Senate Bill 97: Repeal child car seat penalty waiver provision
Passed 92 to 16 in the House on April 30, 2013, to repeal a provision of the law mandating child car seats that waives penalties for a violation if the driver gets a car seat and brings the receipts to court. The bill would allow a court to waive this fine but not require it to.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662079

Senate Bill 184: Appropriations: Department of Transportation
Passed 26 to 11 in the Senate on April 30, 2013, the Senate version of the Transportation budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, 2013. This would appropriate $3.493 billion in gross spending, compared to $3.466 billion in the current fiscal year. Of this, $1.198 billion is federal money, and the rest is mostly from state motor fuel tax and vehicle registration tax revenue. The budget does not include spending requested by the Governor from $1.2 billion in higher transportation taxes he has recommended.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662061

Senate Bill 189: Appropriations: Department of Insurance and Financial Services
Passed 34 to 2 in the Senate on April 30, 2013, the Senate version of the budget for a new the Senate version of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, 2013. This would appropriate $76.3 million in gross spending. Among other things the budget authorizes $12 million to reimburse insurance companies for the cost of a new autism coverage mandate the legislature imposed in 2012.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662012

Senate Bill 190: Appropriations: Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Passed 33 to 3 in the Senate on April 30, 2013, the Senate version of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, 2013. This would appropriate $495.2 million in gross spending, of which $195.5 million is federal money. The creation of a new department of Insurance and Financial Services saw the transfer of $77.2 million out of this budget compared to the previous year, and the loss of a federal block grant related to government unemployment insurance programs removed another $67.1 million.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662014

Senate Bill 191: Appropriations: Judiciary budget
Passed 26 to 11 in the Senate on April 30, 2013, the Senate version of the Department of state Judiciary budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, 2013. This would appropriate $273.7 million in gross spending, the same as the current year. Of this, $5.3 million is federal money, and the rest comes from state and local taxes, fees, fines, etc.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662058

Senate Bill 192: Appropriations: Department of Human Services
Passed 25 to 12 in the Senate on April 30, 2013, the Senate version of the Department of Human Services budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, 2013. This would appropriate $6.045 billion in gross spending, compared to $6.552 billion, which was the amount originally authorized for the current fiscal year. Of this, $4.222 billion is federal money, and the rest is from state and local taxes and fees. The decline in proposed spending is primarily due to reduced welfare and food stamp caseloads.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662005

Senate Bill 194: Appropriations: General Government
The amendment passed by voice vote in the Senate on April 30, 2013, to delete a provision setting aside $103 million out of the $1.5 billion in extra federal money the state would collect from accepting the federal health care laws expansion of Medicaid, which would bring in more federal money in the short term but require higher state spending in a few years. As passed by the Senate, this budget does not appropriate money for this “Obamacare” Medicaid expansion.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=154628

Senate Bill 194: Appropriations: General Government
The amendment passed by voice vote in the Senate on April 30, 2013, to increase spending on various programs, including an additional $25 million on state subsidies to film producers, raising the total amount for that to $50 million in the next fiscal year.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=154628

Senate Bill 194: Appropriations: General Government
The motion passed by voice vote in the Senate on April 30, 2013, the vote by which the fifth set of amendments offered by Senator Johnson were not adopted. These included increases spending on various programs, including an additional $25 million on state subsidies to film producers, raising the total amount for that to $50 million in the next fiscal year.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=154628

Senate Bill 194: Appropriations: General Government
The amendment failed 12 to 25 in the Senate on April 30, 2013, to require that all money spent by the Michigan Strategic Fund must be actually appropriated by the Legislature. This agency oversees both government job training programs and the state economic development apparatus that delivers selective corporate tax breaks and subsidies to particular firms. Under current law, state revenue from Indian casino agreements goes directly to the Strategic Fund with no legislative vote or approval required.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662044

Senate Bill 194: Appropriations: General Government
Passed 21 to 16 in the Senate on April 30, 2013, the Senate version of the General Government budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, 2013, which funds legislature, the executive office, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasury, Department of Civil Rights, the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget, and various other state agencies. This would appropriate $4.447 billion in gross spending, of which $700.0 million is federal money. $1.117 billion of this budget is paid out in revenue sharing to local governments.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662055

Senate Bill 197: Appropriations: Department of Corrections
The amendment failed 11 to 26 in the Senate on April 30, 2013, to strip out provisions authorizing privatization of prison food service and possibly a prison itself.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662009

Senate Bill 219: Designate veteran status on state ID card if requested
Passed 108 to 0 in the House on April 30, 2013, to require the Secretary of State to designate on state identification cards whether the card holder is a military veteran, if this is requested by a veteran who has specified documents proving this status.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662080

House Bill 4458: Prohibit TIFA capture of Detroit Zoo or Arts tax money
Passed 104 to 4 in the House on April 30, 2013, to prohibit the capture by a Tax Increment Finance Authority of regional property taxes imposed to subsidize the Detroit Zoo and the Detroit Institute for the Arts.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662081

House Bill 4459: Prohibit TIFA capture of Detroit Zoo or Arts tax money
Passed 105 to 4 in the House on April 30, 2013, to prohibit the capture by a Downtown Development Authoritys tax increment finance scheme of regional property taxes imposed to subsidize the Detroit Zoo and the Detroit Institute for the Arts.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662082

House Bill 4460: Prohibit TIFA capture of Detroit Zoo or Arts tax money
Passed 105 to 4 in the House on April 30, 2013, to prohibit the capture by a Brownfield Development Authoritys tax increment finance scheme of regional property taxes imposed to subsidize the Detroit Zoo and the Detroit Institute for the Arts.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662083

House Bill 4461: Prohibit TIFA capture of Detroit Zoo or Arts tax money
Passed 105 to 4 in the House on April 30, 2013, to prohibit the capture by a local development financing authoritys tax increment finance scheme of regional property taxes imposed to subsidize the Detroit Zoo and the Detroit Institute for the Arts.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662084

House Bill 4462: Prohibit TIFA capture of Detroit Zoo or Arts tax money
Passed 105 to 4 in the House on April 30, 2013, to prohibit the capture by a corridor improvement authoritys tax increment finance scheme of regional property taxes imposed to subsidize the Detroit Zoo and the Detroit Institute for the Arts.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662085

House Bill 4463: Prohibit TIFA capture of Detroit Zoo or Arts tax money
Passed 105 to 4 in the House on April 30, 2013, to prohibit the capture by a tax increment finance scheme created to subsidize a local street railway system of regional property taxes imposed to subsidize the Detroit Zoo and the Detroit Institute for the Arts.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662086

House Bill 4464: Prohibit TIFA capture of Detroit Zoo or Arts tax money
Passed 105 to 4 in the House on April 30, 2013, to prohibit the capture by a tax increment finance scheme used to pay for public facilities of regional property taxes imposed to subsidize the Detroit Zoo and the Detroit Institute for the Arts.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662087

38
posted on 05/02/2013 3:37:01 AM PDT
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

Senate Bill 25: Revise principal residence property tax exemption appeal detail
Passed 35 to 0 in the Senate on May 2, 2013, to provide property owners with a process to appeal to the Department of Treasury for any year that a principal residence property tax exemption was erroneously not applied, regardless of when the exemption was claimed. Under current law appeals can only cover the past three years.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662259

Senate Bill 29: Mandate bittering agents in antifreeze
Passed 36 to 1 in the Senate on May 1, 2013, to mandate that antifreeze engine coolant sold at retail in Michigan must have a bittering agent added to make it unpalatable to children, dogs and other animals (who are attracted by the sweet taste of antifreeze, a deadly poison).
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662155

Senate Bill 221: Increase sex offender registry fees
Passed 33 to 2 in the Senate on May 2, 2013, to require individuals on the public sex offender registry to pay $50 each year, rather than just a one-time $50 fee.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662258

Senate Bill 288: Give NRC duty of designating huntable game species
Passed 72 to 38 in the House on May 2, 2013, to give the state Natural Resources Commission (in addition to the Legislature) the power to designate a species as a huntable game species. Also, to allow members of the military to obtain hunting and fishing licenses for free. The bill was changed on the floor to prohibit the commission from designating mourning doves as a game species, and to remove a modest appropriation intended to make it “referendum-proof”.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662322

House Bill 4037: Designate veteran status on drivers license if requested
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 1, 2013, to require the Secretary of State to designate on drivers licenses whether the driver is a military veteran, if this is requested by a veteran who has specified documents proving this status.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662156

House Bill 4118: Require drug testing of welfare applicants
Passed 77 to 33 in the House on May 1, 2013, to require drug testing of state welfare benefit recipients or applicants if an “empirical screening tool” indicates a reasonable suspicion, and prohibit benefits for six months if a person tests positive a second time (or refuses “treatment” the first time). This would begin as a one-year pilot program in three counties.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662227

House Bill 4228: Appropriations: Omnibus education budget
Passed 25 to 12 in the Senate on May 1, 2013, to send the bill back to the House “stripped” of all actual appropriations. This vote is basically a procedural method of launching negotiations to work out the differences between the House and Senate budgets.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662157

House Bill 4290: Require disclosure of Department of Treasury audit procedures
Passed 110 to 0 in the House on May 2, 2013, to require the Department of Treasury to publish and post online all audit manuals including training manuals, plus all internal policy statements, bulletins, memos, or other documents.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662324

House Bill 4291: Require full tax audit details be given to audit target
Passed 110 to 0 in the House on May 2, 2013, to require the Department of Treasury to provide a person or business who has been audited with a complete copy of the audit work papers, findings, and all the correspondence and documentation which formed a basis for audit determinations. Also, to require such audits to conform with standards the department would have to establish within one year, covering audit evidence, understanding of the audited entity, documentation and much more. The bill is part of a package of reforms related to business complaints regarding state audit procedures.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662325

House Bill 4328: Appropriations: 2013-2014 omnibus budget
Passed 26 to 11 in the Senate on May 1, 2013, to send the bill back to the House “stripped” of all actual appropriations. This vote is basically a procedural method of launching negotiations to work out the differences between the House and Senate budgets.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662158

House Bill 4388: Ban welfare benefits for truancy scofflaws
Passed 78 to 32 in the House on May 1, 2013, to require welfare recipients who have school age children to ensure the children attend school or else lose benefits, and require the state welfare agency to promulgate rules to make it so. If the child is age 16 or 17 he or she would be “removed” from the welfare “program group,” meaning the family and/or household.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662225

House Bill 4528: Revise immigration clerical assistant registration
Passed 110 to 0 in the House on May 1, 2013, to revise details of a 2004 law that imposed registration requirements on immigration clerical assistants. The bill would eliminate a duty of the state to maintain a list of these individuals and authorize triple damages for lawsuits against them.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662226

39
posted on 05/04/2013 3:16:07 AM PDT
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

Senate Bill 27: Authorize refillable beer container sales
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 7, 2013, to allow merchants licensed to sell beer and wine for consumption off-premises, and bars or restaurants licensed to sell all legal forms of alcohol, to refill clearly labeled growlers (sealable containers of up to one gallon) with beer for consumption off-premises.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662886

Senate Bill 79: Allow farmers market wine tastings and sales
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 7, 2013, to authorize a special liquor license allowing small winemakers to sell wine and hold wine tastings at farmers markets and special events. The license would $25 per day.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662887

Senate Bill 279: Allow farmers market wine tastings and sales
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 7, 2013, to authorize a special liquor license allowing small winemakers to sell wine and hold wine tastings at farmers markets and special events. The license would $25 per day..
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662888

House Bill 4264: Allow consecutive sentences for financial exploitation crime
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 7, 2013, to allow sentences imposed for committing certain financial exploitation crimes against a vulnerable or incapacitated adult to be served consecutively with sentences imposed for other violations of this statute. Consecutively means “back-to-back” sentences, as opposed to “concurrently,” which means sentences are served at the same time.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662885

House Bill 4297: Give free state park admission to disabled veterans
Passed 107 to 2 in the House on May 7, 2013, to waive state park and campground admission fees for disabled veterans, or ones who were prisoners of war, or who were awarded the Medal of Honor. Specifically, the bill grants these veterans the vehicle registration recreation passport without the $11 charge. The foregone revenue would have to be paid to the parks from general fund tax revenues.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662989

House Bill 4439: Give free state park admission to disabled veterans
Passed 107 to 2 in the House on May 7, 2013, to revise vehicle registration tax forms to reflect the proposal in House Bill 4297 to waive the state park and campground admission fees included in such forms for disabled veterans, or ones who were awarded the Medal of Honor or were prisoners of war.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=662990

40
posted on 05/09/2013 3:36:47 AM PDT
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

House Bill 4694: Authorize mental health courts
Introduced by Rep. Kevin Cotter (R) on May 7, 2013, to authorize a type of alternative judicial proceeding for mentally disturbed or disabled individuals who commit minor crimes, similar to the state drug courts for minor drug use crimes. These mental health courts would allow dismissal of charges if the individual agrees to and abides by an agreement that includes a prescribed mental health treatment program. This bill establishes criteria for a defendant being allowed to participate; it is part of a package comprised of House Bills 4694 to 4697.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159151

House Bill 4695: Authorize mental health courts
Introduced by Rep. Gail Haines (R) on May 7, 2013, to authorize a type of alternative judicial proceeding for mentally disturbed or disabled individuals who commit minor crimes, similar to the state drug courts for minor drug use crimes. These mental health courts would allow dismissal of charges if the individual agrees to and abides by a prescribed mental health treatment program.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159152

House Bill 4696: Authorize mental health courts
Introduced by Rep. John Walsh (R) on May 7, 2013, to authorize a type of alternative judicial proceeding for mentally disturbed or disabled individuals who commit minor crimes, similar to the state drug courts for minor drug use crimes. These mental health courts would allow dismissal of charges if the individual agrees to and abides by a prescribed mental health treatment program. This bill establishes procedures and duties for both the defendant and the court, including making available and accepting related mental health services; it is part of a package comprised of House Bills 4694 to 4697.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159153

House Bill 4697: Authorize mental health courts
Introduced by Rep. Margaret O’Brien (R) on May 7, 2013, to authorize a type of alternative judicial proceeding for mentally disturbed or disabled individuals who commit minor crimes, similar to the state drug courts for minor drug use crimes. These mental health courts would allow dismissal of charges if the individual agrees to and abides by a prescribed mental health treatment program. This bill would require the state court administrative office to establish standards for such courts, and reporting requirements for the courts themselves; it is part of a package comprised of House Bills 4694 to 4697.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159154

House Bill 4699: Create scrap metal theft offenders registry
Introduced by Rep. Eileen Kowall (R) on May 7, 2013, to require an individual convicted for stealing scrap metal and related offenses to register on a state scrap metal offenders registry and pay an extra $50 for this. Scrap metal dealers would have to check sellers against this registry before buying metal from them, and would have a $1 fee per transaction imposed on their scrap metal purchases.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159156

House Bill 4700: Create scrap metal theft offenders registry
Introduced by Rep. Phil Cavanagh (D) on May 7, 2013, to revoke the parole of a convicted criminal who is on the scrap metal offenders registry proposed by House Bill 4699 and who tries to sell stolen scrap metal to a dealer.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159157

House Bill 4701: Create scrap metal theft offenders registry
Introduced by Rep. Eileen Kowall (R) on May 7, 2013, to revoke the youthful trainee status (deferred sentence or parole) for a minor who is on the scrap metal offenders registry proposed by House Bill 4699 and who tries to sell stolen scrap metal to a dealer.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159158

House Bill 4702: Require telecom equipment on utility pole report
Introduced by Rep. Ray Franz (R) on May 7, 2013, to require the state Public Service Commission to produce a report on the rates charged to telecommunications providers to attach equipment to utility poles.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159159

House Bill 4703: Revise unclaimed property law details
Introduced by Rep. Jeff Farrington (R) on May 7, 2013, to establish an appeals process for holders of unclaimed property who are found under administrative procedures to have under-reported the amount of unclaimed or abandoned property.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159160

House Bill 4704: Restrict legal challenges to county budget
Introduced by Rep. Peter Pettalia (R) on May 7, 2013, to restrict legal challenges to the spending levels in a countys annual budget, establishing that only the countys chief administrative officer has standing to bring such a challenge in court. Recent news reports have described a legal complaint by the Wayne County Prosecutor over the amount of money the county board appropriated for the prosecutors office.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159161

House Bill 4706: Mandate Michigan employers provide paid sick leave
Introduced by Rep. Rudy Hobbs (D) on May 8, 2013, to mandate that employers grant employees one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours annually for small businesses, and 72 hours annually for larger employers.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159211

House Bill 4707: Revise privatization procedural detail
Introduced by Rep. Greg MacMaster (R) on May 9, 2013, to require that if a state agency solicits bids from contractors to privatize services that are currently provided by state employees, it must disclose the current actual costs of providing the service, including all labor costs, retirement and other obligations, and associated administrative costs.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159301

House Bill 4708: Revise hazardous material regulatory regime detail
Introduced by Rep. Eileen Kowall (R) on May 9, 2013, to replace one state fund created to hold and disburse fee and fine revenue related to hazardous material permit mandates and regulations with another state fund.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159302

House Bill 4709: Revise beer brewer regulations
Introduced by Rep. Kevin Cotter (R) on May 9, 2013, to increase the maximum production level that subjects a brewer to state microbrewer regulations (vs. regular brewer regulations), from 30,000 barrels annually to 60,000.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159303

House Bill 4710: Revise beer brewer regulations
Introduced by Rep. Peter MacGregor (R) on May 9, 2013, to increase the number of brewpubs in which a single owner can have an interest, from three to six, with a maximum capacity between them of 18,000 barrels of beer per calendar year.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159304

House Bill 4711: Revise beer brewer regulations
Introduced by Rep. Andy Schor (D) on May 9, 2013, to revise a law that prohibits a brewer from having more than one brewery in the state that sells beer at retail for off-premises consumption. The bill appears to increase this to two, and to extend the same opportunity to microbrewers.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159305

House Bill 4712: Revise high school graduation language requirement
Introduced by Rep. Jeff Irwin (D) on May 9, 2013, to revise the foreign language requirement in the high school graduation requirements adopted in a 2006 law. The bill would increase this from two to four credits, but allow two of these to be granted for a combination of other learning experiences and credits that the state Department of Education deems to be substantially equivalent.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159306

House Bill 4713: Require schools to post emergency drill info on website
Introduced by Rep. Joseph Graves (R) on May 9, 2013, to require public schools to post documentation of completed school safety drills on their websites within five business days, with details including whether the drill was a fire drill or a “lockdown” drill.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159307

41
posted on 05/15/2013 4:43:58 AM PDT
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

Senate Bill 350: Authorize, regulate electronic billboards
Introduced by Sen. Tom Casperson (R) on May 7, 2013, to amend the state billboard law to authorize regulation of digital signs, and revise a wide range of other details of this law.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159140

Senate Bill 351: Clarify fertilizer use restrictions
Introduced by Sen. Arlan Meekhof (R) on May 7, 2013, to clarify that use of fertilizers and other soil conditioners which follows generally accepted agricultural and management practices at the time of use does not constitute a release of hazardous substances in violation of state regulations.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159141

Senate Bill 354: Revise dog and cat euthanasia regulations
Introduced by Sen. Rick Jones (R) on May 8, 2013, to require an animal control or protection shelter to use only injections of a commercially prepared solution for euthanizing a dog or cat.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159177

Senate Bill 356: Establish annual state “Fred Korematsu Day”
Introduced by Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D) on May 9, 2013, to designate January 30 as “Fred Korematsu Day” in the state of Michigan. Korematsu was an American-born citizen of Japanese descent who resisted the internment of Japanese Americans in World War II.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159293

Senate Bill 357: Revise corporation voting share detail
Introduced by Sen. John Pappageorge (R) on May 9, 2013, to revise details of when shares of a corporation are considered to be beneficially owned for purposes of exercising the voting rights associated with those shares. Specifically, the bill would establish that shares are not beneficially owned by a person unless the corporations board passes a resolution to that effect before the person acquires the share.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159294

Senate Bill 358: Authorize certain manufacturing & mining electrician licensure exemptions
Introduced by Sen. Arlan Meekhof (R) on May 9, 2013, to exclude certain work in manufacturing and mining operations, or at an “independent power producer” facility, from a state licensure mandate that prohibits an individual from earning a living as an electrician without a state license (which among other things requires at least four years of apprenticeship in which 8,000 hours of experience must be accumulated).http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159295

Senate Bill 359: Require license plates be made with digital printing
Introduced by Sen. Darwin Booher (R) on May 14, 2013, to require the Secretary of State to use a digital printing method to create all standard design license plates.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159378

Senate Bill 360
Introduced by Sen. Goeff Hansen (R) on May 14, 2013, Revise business trailer registration tax detail to change the expiration date for the registration (license plate or tab) issued to a trailer or semitrailer owned by a business, to January 1 instead of the last day of February. The expiration date for a registration issued to other commercial vehicles would continue to be the last day of February. For pickup trucks or vans owned by individuals, registrations would still expire on the owners birthday.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159379

House Bill 4635: Ban insurance ownership of body shop
Introduced by Rep. Greg MacMaster (R) on April 30, 2013, to prohibit auto insurance companies from owning auto repair shops. The bill also prohibits an auto insurance provider from requiring an insured customer to use a particular shop, or having a preferred facility list, or requiring repairs that use non-original parts, and more.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158943

House Bill 4636: Clarify criminal restitution detail
Introduced by Rep. Tom Leonard (R) on April 30, 2013, to clarify wording in a law that requires convicted criminals to pay restitution to the victim, or if the victim dies, to his or her estate.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158944

House Bill 4637: Allow communities to opt-out of regional transit authority (and tax)
Introduced by Rep. Kurt Heise (R) on April 30, 2013, to allow local communities and counties to withdraw from the Detroit area regional transportation authority created by a 2012 law, and presumably from the extra property and vehicle taxes this authority is authorized to impose. Withdrawal would require a two-thirds vote of the local governing body.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158945

House Bill 4638: Revise deed recording detail
Introduced by Rep. Peter Pettalia (R) on April 30, 2013, to establish a legal presumption that a property conveyance (deed or easement) recorded with the county register of deeds is valid if the conveyance meets the statutory requirements proposed by House Bill 4640, and other legal requirements.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158946

House Bill 4639: Revise deed recording detail
Introduced by Rep. Marilyn Lane (D) on April 30, 2013, to revise the law requiring registers of deeds to maintain an index of recorded deeds and related instruments, so that it conforms with the provisions proposed by House Bill 4640.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158947

House Bill 4640: Revise deed recording detail
Introduced by Rep. Peter Pettalia (R) on April 30, 2013, to establish standards for the affidavit that is required when recording an unrecorded property conveyance (deed or easement) with the county register of deeds.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158948

House Bill 4641: Prohibit occupational licensure exceeding public health and safety interest
Introduced by Rep. Tom McMillin (R) on April 30, 2013, to prohibit the state or local governments from imposing a form of occupational licensure, registration, certification, bond-posting, inspection mandate or other restriction on an individual seeking to perform a lawful occupation, if it is more restrictive than required for public health and safety. Instead, governments would be allowed only to impose the least restrictive burden required for public health and safety. Individuals would have a right to sue if an occupational regulation excessively burdens their right to earn a living in a lawful occupation.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158949

House Bill 4642: Repeal striking workers replacement ad disclosure mandate
Introduced by Rep. Amanda Price (R) on April 30, 2013, to repeal a law that prohibits an employer from soliciting or advertising for replacements for striking workers unless the solicitation discloses that there is a strike.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158950

House Bill 4643: Establish legal recourse for target of illegal union picket
Introduced by Rep. Tom McMillin (R) on April 30, 2013, to revise a law that makes it illegal to picket a business for purposes of blocking access to individuals doing or seeking work there. The bill would allow an employer to ask for a court injunction to stop the picketing, and a union that disobeyed the injunction could be fined $10,000 per day, and $1,000 for individuals.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158951

House Bill 4645: Require headlights on all the time in rain
Introduced by Rep. George T. Darany (D) on April 30, 2013, to require the use of headlights while driving whenever it is raining or snowing enough to require the use of windshield wipers.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158953

House Bill 4646: Revise child adoption/placement details
Introduced by Rep. Mike Shirkey (R) on April 30, 2013, to authorize and specify procedures under which a parent could execute an out-of-court consent to an adoption after the child’s birth.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158954

House Bill 4647: Revise child adoption/placement details
Introduced by Rep. Margaret O’Brien (R) on April 30, 2013, to establish that three months after formal an adoption placement of adoptee who is less than one year old, a court could enter an order of adoption, unless it determined that circumstances had arisen that make adoption undesirable.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158955

House Bill 4648: Revise child adoption/placement details
Introduced by Rep. Kenneth Kurtz (R) on April 30, 2013, to revise details of a law that describes when parental rights can be terminated and when they cannot, so as to establish procedures for when the parental rights of a mother have not been officially terminated, and the court finds that the best interest of the child would be served by granting custody to the putative father.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158956

House Bill 4649: Create foster care parents bill of rights
Introduced by Rep. Kevin Cotter (R) on April 30, 2013, to create a foster care parents bill of rights that among other things would require state authorities to provide timely financial reimbursement for foster children in the foster parent’s care, a fair, timely, and impartial investigation of complaints concerning the foster parent’s licensure, due process during any investigation, and more.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158957

House Bill 4650: Create foster care parents bill of rights
Introduced by Rep. Ben Glardon (R) on April 30, 2013, to give the state children’s ombudsman the duty of investigating matters related to the proposal in House Bill 4649 to create a foster care parents bill of rights.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158958

House Bill 4651: Further restrict commercial smoking ban exemptions
Introduced by Rep. Sam Singh (D) on April 30, 2013, to revise the exemption ofcigar bars and tobacco specialty retail stores from the 2009 law that prohibits a business owner from choosing whether to allow smoking in his or her establishment. Under the bill, these exemptions could not be transferred from an existing cigar bar or specialty store to any other. Also, if one of these establishments moved, it would lose the exemption unless the governing body of the new location approves it.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158959

House Bill 4705: Require tax refund from school district that collected tax for retired debt
Introduced by Rep. Edward McBroom (R) on May 7, 2013, to require a school district that collected a property tax millage for bonds that were already paid off (retired) to transfer excess revenue collected to the state, and to credit the overcharged revenue against the state school property tax liability of property owners in the district.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159162

House Bill 4714: Accept federal health care law Medicaid expansion, with conditions
Introduced by Rep. Matt Lori (R) on May 9, 2013, to expand Medicaid eligibility to families and childless adults up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, but make this contingent on the federal government allowing the state to implement specified Medicaid reforms. Under the federal health care law (aka Obamacare), expansion was originally mandatory for states, but the Supreme Court ruled it can only be optional for states. Under current provisions, the feds are supposed to pay 100 percent of the expansions cost during the first three years (not counting administration costs), with the state responsible for not more than 10 percent of the costs starting in 2020.
In its current form, the reforms required by the bill appear to be poison pill ones the Obama administration would not approve. They include: A four year cap on Medicaid benefits for non-disabled adults; a requirement that non-disabled adult beneficiaries must contribute up to 5 percent of their income as deductibles, copays, etc.; allow Health Savings Accounts for non-disabled adult beneficiaries; allow non-disabled adults to choose a contracted health plan through the agency styled as the exchange (most Michigan Medicaid recipients are already enrolled in contracted managed-care plans, so without the other reforms this would not appear to represent a significant change in the status quo); allow the state to impose healthy behavior incentives on non-disabled adults; require the federal government to permanently assume 100 percent of the states expansion-related costs (the language is unclear as to whether this applies to administrative or benefit costs, and sponsors say their intent is the latter).http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159308

42
posted on 05/15/2013 4:46:35 AM PDT
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

Senate Bill 16: Authorize wildlife violation compact enforcement
Passed 107 to 0 in the House on May 14, 2013, to require and establish procedures for the Department of Natural Resources to enforce the terms of a multi-state Wildlife Violator Compact, including suspending the hunting and fishing privileges of a Michigan resident who was suspended by another member state for violations there; and also authorize the department to either withdraw from the compact or adopt amendments under the compacts provisions for doing so. Among other things, the compact requires participating states to treat residents and nonresidents alike in issuing citations for wildlife law violations.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=663923

Senate Bill 284: Revise home heating welfare program
Passed 35 to 3 in the Senate on May 14, 2013, to create a state fund to receive and redistribute up to $60 million annually from customer surcharges on electricity bills to low income households as home heating subsidies.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=663889

House Bill 4069: Expand forest property tax breaks
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on May 14, 2013, to not impose a property tax “recapture charge assessed when property is withdrawn from a program granting tax exemptions to owners of large tracts of forest generally grown for “industrial” uses (like paper mills), if the property is entered into a similar “qualified forest” tax break program for private owners of smaller parcels. The program for the larger “industrial” forests requires owners to grant public recreational access, while the small-owner one does not. See also House Bill 4320.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=663886

House Bill 4242: Raise burden of proof to justify new government regulations
Passed 108 to 0 in the House on May 14, 2013, to require government agencies to demonstrate that a rule they want to impose is necessary and suitable to achieve its purpose in proportion to the burdens it places on individuals.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=663925

House Bill 4243: Revise forest property tax breaks
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on May 14, 2013, to revise the formula used to calculate the property tax recapture rate assessed when productive forestland is withdrawn from a program granting property tax exemptions to owners of smaller “non-industrial” sized parcels of forestland, with the rate depending on whether timber has been harvested on the property. See also House Bills 4069 and 4320.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=663887

House Bill 4244: Revise forest property tax breaks
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on May 14, 2013, to revise details of the procedures and fees used by forest property owners to get certain forest property tax breaks, so that these conform to the changes and expansion of the program proposed by House Bill 4243.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=663888

House Bill 4471: Exempt some schools from minimum instruction days mandate
Passed 34 to 1 in the Senate on May 9, 2013, to revise the law that requires public schools to provide a minimum of 1,098 hours and 170 days of instruction per year, by exempting schools that closures in the 2012-2013 school year for various reasons specified in the bill.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=663619

House Bill 4574: Require funeral home buyers honor prepaid funeral contracts
The amendment passed by voice vote in the House on May 9, 2013, to establish that if passed the bill will go into effect 90 days after it is enacted.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158665

House Bill 4574: Require funeral home buyers honor prepaid funeral contracts
Passed 108 to 0 in the House on May 14, 2013, to require the buyer of a licensed funeral establishment to assume the previous owners commitments under existing prepaid funeral contracts.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=663926

House Bill 4586: Revise business tax detail
Passed 108 to 0 in the House on May 14, 2013, to revise a business tax law look-back period detail related to the state tax filing responsibilities of business entities that previously were not required to file a tax return but then are required due to changes in state rules. See this House Fiscal Agency summary for details.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=663924

43
posted on 05/15/2013 6:31:02 PM PDT
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

Senate Bill 361: Codify metes and bounds description of state boundaries
Introduced by Sen. Darwin Booher (R) on May 15, 2013, to place in statute a precise metes and bounds type description of the boundaries of the State of Michigan, which also includes references to historical treaties.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159426

Senate Bill 362: Revise boxing and mixed martial arts regulation
Introduced by Sen. David Robertson (R) on May 16, 2013, to revise details of a comprehensive regulatory regime imposed by a 2004 law on professional boxing and mixed martial arts competitions. Among other things the bill would allow the state Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to increase future licensure fees on contestants, referees, judges, physicians, matchmakers, timekeepers, contestants, and promoters without further authorization from the legislature.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159458

Senate Bill 363: Revise boxing and mixed martial arts regulation
Introduced by Sen. David Robertson (R) on May 16, 2013, to extend a waiver of liability for a medical professional who renders emergency care at a licensed boxing or mixed marital arts contest or event, except for gross negligence or willful and wanton misconduct.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159459

House Bill 4633: Require license plates be made with digital printing
Introduced by Rep. Wayne Schmidt (R) on April 25, 2013, to require Secretary of State use a digital printing method to create all standard design license plates.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158837

House Bill 4634: Revise business trailer registration tax detail
Introduced by Rep. Wayne Schmidt (R) on April 25, 2013, to change the expiration date for the registration (license plate or tab) issued to a trailer or semitrailer owned by a business to January 1, instead of the last day of February. The expiration date for a registration issued to other commercial vehicles would continue to be the last day of February. For pickup trucks or vans owned by individual, registrations would still expire on the owners birthday.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158838

House Bill 4716: Ban felons having ammo
Introduced by Rep. Joseph Graves (R) on May 14, 2013, to revise the state sentencing guidelines to reflect the prohibition proposed by House Bill 4715 on convicted felons possessing ammunition.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159385

House Bill 4717: Ban felons having ammo
Introduced by Rep. Klint Kesto (R) on May 14, 2013, to revise a reference in the law allowing a convicted felon to petition for the restoration of his or her right to possess a gun, to reflect the proposal in House Bill 4715 to also prohibit convicted felons whose rights have been suspended from possessing ammunition.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159386

House Bill 4718: Ban insurance ownership of body shop
Introduced by Rep. Brain Banks (D) on May 14, 2013, to prohibit auto insurance companies from owning auto repair shops. The bill also prohibits an auto insurance provider from requiring an insured customer to use a particular shop, or having a preferred facility list.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159387

House Bill 4719: Ban unreasonable unattendedness of children
Introduced by Rep. Sean McCann (D) on May 14, 2013, to revise a 2008 law that made it a crime to leave a child unattended in a vehicle for a period of time that a reasonable person would determine poses a risk of harm or injury. The bill would apply the same reasonableness standard and penalties to leaving a child in any location.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159388

House Bill 4720: Ban unreasonable unattendedness of children
Introduced by Rep. Sean McCann (D) on May 14, 2013, to revise the state sentencing guidelines to reflect the criminal sanctions proposed by House Bill 4719 for leaving a child unattended in any location (not just a vehicle) for a period of time that a reasonable person would determine poses a risk of harm or injury.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159389

House Bill 4721: Require “comprehensive sexuality classes in public schools
Introduced by Rep. Jeff Irwin (D) on May 14, 2013, to require public schools to offer sex education classes that include comprehensive sexuality education that is medically accurate and age-appropriate for all grade levels.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159390

House Bill 4722: Require government morning after pill information campaign
Introduced by Rep. Marcia Hovey-Wright (D) on May 14, 2013, to require the Department of Community Health to disseminate specified information about emergency contraceptives (the morning after pill) to the public, health care professionals and facilities, various agencies and more.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159391

House Bill 4723: Expand ticket points-avoiding driver course eligibility
Introduced by Rep. Kevin Daley (R) on May 14, 2013, to revise a 2008 law that lets an individual cited for a minor moving traffic violation (with some exceptions) to avoid getting drivers license points by taking a driver improvement course. Under current law a person can only do this one time, and the bill would change this to once every three years.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159392

House Bill 4724: Exclude veterans disability payments from divorce settlement
Introduced by Rep. Ray Franz (R) on May 14, 2013, to exclude a veterans service-related disability compensation from being included in a divorce-related property division or child support determination.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159393

House Bill 4725: Authorize charter boarding school for low income students
Introduced by Rep. John Olumba (D) on May 14, 2013, to allow charter schools to operate residential boarding schools for at-risk youth (meaning ones whose low family income makes them eligible for free or reduced price federal school lunch programs). Money for this would come out of the state welfare budget rather than the school aid budget.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159394

House Bill 4726: Increase workers comp funeral allowance
Introduced by Rep. Theresa Abed (D) on May 14, 2013, to increase the amount of funeral and burial expense an employer is liable for under the state workers compensation law, from $6,000 to $8,500.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159395

House Bill 4727: Mandate school cyberbully policies
Introduced by Rep. Theresa Abed (D) on May 14, 2013, to revise the 2011 law mandating that schools adopt anti-bullying policies, to also mandate that their policies address cyberbullying. Also, to require schools to annually file reports on bullying incidents to the state.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159396

House Bill 4728: Ban release of advanced utility meter customer info
Introduced by Rep. Amanda Price (R) on May 14, 2013, to prohibit utilities from selling, sharing or disclosing a residential customers energy use data, and require advanced utility meters that communicate by wireless networking technology to be encrypted so data cannot be intercepted. The bill would also prohibit a utility from using advanced meter data to communicate a residential customer’s name, social security number, address, or other identifying information.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159397

House Bill 4730: Require more and expedited state tax data disclosure
Introduced by Rep. Frank Foster (R) on May 14, 2013, to legislature to require, rather than just allow, the Department of Treasury to disclose information on tax returns requested by the legislature, if this only contains statistical and economic information that would not directly or indirectly identify a particular taxpayer. The bill would also require it disclose department revenue estimating methodologies, data, and information. Also, to require the department to respond to requests from the legislature within five days.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159399

House Bill 4731: Waive commercial road test for certain recent veterans
Introduced by Rep. Ray Franz (R) on May 14, 2013, to waive a required state examination for meeting firefighter professional qualification standards, if an applicant is a recent military veteran with relevant experience.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159400

House Bill 4733: Define breastfeeding woman as civil rights protected class
Introduced by Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D) on May 15, 2013, to include a woman who is breastfeeding in the protected classes in the state civil rights law. The bill would prohibit denying a breastfeeding woman the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of a place of public accommodation, and prohibit these places from having or posting a policy that a breastfeeding woman’s patronage or presence is objectionable, unwelcome, unacceptable, or undesirable.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159433

House Bill 4734: Require Civil Rights Department reimburse school mascot replacement costs
Introduced by Rep. Robert Genetski (R) on May 15, 2013, to transfer $3 million from the Department of Civil Rights budget to local school districts, to reimburse them for the cost of mascots, uniforms, signage, billboards, gym resurfacing, flags, and other expenses that are made necessary as a direct result of the complaint the department filed with the U.S. Department of Education over the use by schools of American Indian-related mascots or nicknames (such as Braves or Chiefs).http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159434

House Bill 4735: Require Civil Rights Department reimburse school mascot replacement costs
Introduced by Rep. Dan Lauwers (R) on May 15, 2013, to transfer $3 million from the Department of Civil Rights budget to local school districts, to reimburse them for the cost of mascots, uniforms, signage, billboards, gym resurfacing, flags, and other expenses that are made necessary as a direct result of the complaint the department filed with the U.S. Department of Education over the use by schools of American Indian-related mascots or nicknames (such as Braves or Chiefs).http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159435

House Bill 4736: Authorize sexually transmitted disease “expedited partner therapy”
Introduced by Rep. George T. Darany (D) on May 15, 2013, to authorize the use of “expedited partner therapy” to limit the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, which means a health professional giving a person diagnosed with gonorrhea or chlamydia a single-dose antibiotic for the partner who has not been seen by the health professional. The bill would also extend limited legal immunity to health professionals providing this, except for gross negligence.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159436

House Bill 4737: Dont require building permit for home monitoring systems
Introduced by Rep. Aric Nesbitt (R) on May 15, 2013, to establish that the state building code requires no building permit for work related to a home monitoring system if performed by a registered or licensed provider. “Home monitoring system” is defined as equipment and devices that allow an individual to remotely monitor his or her home through audio, video, or sensor detection systems, and allow remote control of home temperature, humidity, lighting, doors and locks.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159437

House Bill 4738: Establish right to provide “complementary or alternative health care services”
Introduced by Rep. Joel Johnson (R) on May 15, 2013, to establish that “complementary or alternative health care services,” defined as the broad domain of health care practices, healing therapies and modalities, and methods that are not prohibited by law, may be provided by an individual who is not a licensed health care professional, subject to specified exceptions, limitations, disclosures, etc.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159438

House Bill 4739: Give more money to fiscally failed Buena Vista schools
Introduced by Rep. Stacy Erwin Oakes (D) on May 15, 2013, to give an extra $600,000 to the Buena Vista school district in Saginaw. After years of not adjusting operations to reflect declining enrollment, and spending more than it collects, the district hit the wall financially and closed its doors to students several weeks before the end of the 2012-2013 school year.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159439

House Bill 4740: Revise county medical care facility board of trustees detail
Introduced by Rep. Edward McBroom (R) on May 16, 2013, to revise the details governing appointments by a county board to the board of trustees of a joint county medical care facility.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159467

House Bill 4741: Waive commercial road test for certain recent veterans
Introduced by Rep. Collene Lamonte (D) on May 16, 2013, to revise details and expand a 2012 law expanding a waiver of commercial driver road test requirements for recent veterans who have relevant military experience.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159468

House Bill 4742: Repeal ban on benefits for government worker domestic partner
Introduced by Rep. Adam Zemke (D) on May 16, 2013, to repeal a 2011 law that banned public schools, colleges and universities, and local governments from providing medical benefits for the unmarried domestic partner of an employee. That law also applied to state employees, but the state Supreme Court ruled only the state Civil Service Commission has the authority to decide whether state employees can be offered such benefits.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159469

House Bill 4743: Allow non-holiday local fireworks ban
Introduced by Rep. Harold Haugh (D) on May 16, 2013, to allow local governments to ban the use of consumer fireworks except between midnight and 8:00 a.m. on the day before, day of, and day after a national holiday. The 2012 law legalizing these fireworks (which include firecrackers, bottle rockets, aerial spinners, Roman candles, etc.) essentially preempted local bans on their use.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159470

Senate Bill 51: Expand forest property tax breaks
Passed 79 to 28 in the House on May 23, 2013, to expand certain exemptions to a state wetland permit mandate, increase some wetland permit fees and reduce others, require permit denials to document their rationale and authority, authorize grants to local governments to create wetland mitigation banks, slightly reduce wetland regulatory burdens imposed on county drain commission projects, slightly increase the state’s burden to justify restrictions on an owner’s use of his or her property, prohibit the Department of Environmental Quality from imposing regulations that are beyond the scope those required by federal law, and make other changes to these land use restrictions.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665310

Senate Bill 55: Expand forest property tax breaks
Passed 80 to 27 in the House on May 23, 2013, to change the definition of land that qualifies for agricultural land property tax breaks to include certain land granted the forest property tax breaks that Senate Bill 51 would expand and modify.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665312

Senate Bill 56: Expand forest property tax breaks
Passed 87 to 20 in the House on May 23, 2013, to expand the powers and duties of the 79 government conservation district authorities in the state, among other things giving them a role in granting the property tax breaks for forestland owners which Senate Bill 51 would expand and modify.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665313

Senate Bill 57: Expand forest property tax breaks
Passed 89 to 18 in the House on May 23, 2013, to expand to privately owned forestland a state program in which farms are inspected and their compliance with certain conservation, environmental risk, soil nutrient protocols, etc. is verified, which among other things gives owners qualified exemptions from certain environmental law penalties. See also Senate Bill 51.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665314

Senate Bill 58: Revise DNR and Agriculture Department mission statements
Passed 89 to 18 in the House on May 23, 2013, to explicitly include among the duties of the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture that they work together to jointly promote development of the states forest products industry.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665315

Senate Bill 64: Revise business tax liability detail
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 22, 2013, to place certain limits on the personal liability of a business owner or manager for taxes the firm collects from another person and fails to pay the collected amount to the state.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=664897

Senate Bill 163: Revise wetland use permit details
Passed 25 to 12 in the Senate on May 22, 2013, to expand certain exemptions to a state wetland permit mandate, increase some wetland permit fees and reduce others, require permit denials to document their rationale and authority, authorize grants to local governments to create wetland mitigation banks, slightly reduce regulatory burdens imposed on county drain commission activities, slightly increase the state’s burden to justify restrictions on an owner’s use of his or her property, prohibit the Department of Environmental Quality from imposing regulations that beyond the scope those required by federal law, and make other changes to these land use restrictions.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=664906

Senate Bill 165: Require disclosure of medical futility policies
Passed 108 to 0 in the House on May 22, 2013, to require a hospital, health facility or agency that maintains a written policy that encourages or allows a health care professional to withhold or discontinue treatment on the grounds of “medical futility” to provide a copy of the policy to the patient or resident upon request.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=664956

Senate Bill 175: Revise National Guard details
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 22, 2013, to revise and update many details in the law that establishes the Michigan National Guards organization, command, personnel, administration, training, supply, discipline, deployment, employment, and retirement benefits.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=664900

Senate Bill 193: Revise fireworks regulations
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on June 6, 2012, to increase penalties for violations of the 2011 law allowing sales of “consumer fireworks.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=617740

Senate Bill 209: Extend charity sales tax exemption to veterans groups
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on May 21, 2013, to greatly expand for nonprofit veterans organizations a sales tax exemption allowing charitable entities to sell up to $5,000 in merchandise annually for fundraising purposes. Under the bill, veterans organizations could sell up to $25,000 in goods at each individual fund-raising event they hold before incurring sales tax liability, if the sales benefit an active duty service member or a veteran.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=664692

Senate Bill 283: Repeal annual union PAC contribution re-up requirement
Passed 36 to 1 in the Senate on May 22, 2013, to repeal a requirement that union members who wish to have contributions to a union PAC automatically deducted from their paycheck must affirmatively give consent on an annual basis by means of signing a form. The bill would repeal the annual re-up requirement.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=664903

Senate Bill 302: Establish purple heart state designation
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 22, 2013, to designate Michigan as a purple heart state honoring our combat wounded veterans for their service and sacrifice by allowing the United States of America to maintain its sovereignty.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=664898

Senate Bill 321: Exempt legal process servers from trespassing laws
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 22, 2013, to exempt legal action process servers from the state law against trespassing.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=664899

Senate Bill 335: Extend Medicaid health insurance claims tax
Passed 65 to 44 in the House on May 22, 2013, to extend from 2014 to 2018 the sunset on a 1 percent health insurance claims tax intended to game the federal Medicaid system in ways that result in higher federal payments to Michigans medical welfare system.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=664965

Senate Bill 341: Authorize Amber Alert income tax checkoff
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 22, 2013, to allow an individual to choose to automatically contribute $5 or more from his or her state income tax refund to pay for unspecified expenses related to executing Amber alerts, which disseminate useful information about a missing child to law enforcement agencies, radio and television stations. The checkoff would have the effect of reducing the amount of a persons tax refund. A person not receiving a refund could use his or her tax return to contribute to the program.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=664901

Senate Bill 342: Authorize Amber Alert income tax checkoff
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 22, 2013, to allow an individual to choose to automatically contribute $5 or more from his or her state income tax refund to pay for unspecified expenses related to executing Amber alerts, which disseminate useful information about a missing child to law enforcement agencies, radio and television stations. The checkoff would have the effect of reducing the amount of a persons tax refund. A person not receiving a refund could use his or her tax return to contribute to the program.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=664902

Senate Bill 352: Exempt disabled veteran’s home from property tax
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 22, 2013, to exempt the principal residence of a totally disabled veteran from property tax.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=664904

House Bill 4038: Add bush autumn olive to banned species list
Passed 103 to 4 in the House on May 23, 2013, to add the bush autumn olive (elaeagnus umbellata), the giant hogweed (heracleum mantegazzianum), and the Japanese knotweed (fallopian japonica) to the law banning the possession or release of certain non-native species.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665307

House Bill 4042: Require match of welfare applicants against incarceration lists
Passed 37 to 1 in the Senate on May 21, 2013, to require the Department of Human Services to perform a monthly jail and prison incarceration match and Social Security death match to help determine eligibility for a welfare and food stamp benefit bridge cards, and not issue or revoke the card of a person on those lists. This would codify current practice in statute.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=664690

House Bill 4050: Revise certain child death investigation details
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on May 21, 2013, to revise details of the criteria that triggers an investigation by the state children’s ombudsman of children under the states or a courts jurisdiction who have died as a result of child abuse or neglect.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=664691

House Bill 4089: Authorize a memorial bridge designation
Passed 108 to 0 in the House on May 22, 2013, to designate a certain bridge in Jackson county as the “Officer James Bonneau Memorial Bridge”.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=664957

House Bill 4127: Require GPS tether for “assaultive crime” bail
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on May 21, 2013, to specifically authorize GPS tether monitoring of defendants on bail for any assaultive crime, at the discretion of the judge.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=664688

House Bill 4156: Expand free clinic liability exemption
Passed 97 to 11 in the House on May 22, 2013, to include nurses in a limited liability exemption for health care professionals who provide care at a free clinic.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=664955

House Bill 4177: Revise vulnerable adult abuse law detail
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on May 21, 2013, to clarify a reference to vulnerable adult abuse in the first degree murder statute. The bill would define first-degree murder as murder perpetrated in the commission of not just first degree vulnerable adult abuse, but also second degree.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=664687

House Bill 4284: Revise ORV shoulder-riding details
Passed 102 to 6 in the House on May 22, 2013, to authorize local governments in the northern part of the state to ask the Department of Transportation to allow ORVs on the shoulders of state trunk line highways where necessary to connect existing ORV networks, and establish criteria and deadlines for MDOT’s consideration of these requests.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=664952

House Bill 4289: Restrict use of indirect unclaimed property law audits
Passed 109 to 0 in the House on May 22, 2013, to establish minimum standards for state audits and indirect audits of a person or business related to unclaimed property escheated to the state, and require such audits to conform with generally accepted government auditing standards published by the U.S. Government Accountability Office.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=664967

House Bill 4299: Expand ORV shoulder riding
Passed 101 to 7 in the House on May 22, 2013, to expand a 2008 law that allows local governments in the northern part of the state to allow off road vehicles to be driven on either the pavement or the shoulder of some or all streets and roads. The bill would extend the local option statewide; it does not apply to state trunkline roads.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=664953

House Bill 4591: Exempt home monitoring system installers from electrician licensure mandate
Passed 105 to 2 in the House on May 22, 2013, to establish that an electricians license is not required for a registered or licensed security alarm provider or contractor to install a home monitoring system, defined as one that lets a person remotely monitor their home through audio, video, or sensor detection systems and that may allow them to remotely control the home’s environment, including controlling temperature, humidity, lighting, doors, locks and more.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=664941

House Bill 4592: Exempt home thermostat installers from mechanical contractor licensure
Passed 105 to 2 in the House on May 22, 2013, to establish that a mechanical contractors license is not required for a registered or licensed security alarm provider or contractor to install a home thermostat.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=664942

House Bill 4654: Revise accountant business licensure detail
Passed 107 to 0 in the House on May 23, 2013, to establish that a professional limited liability company may engage in the practice of public accounting if more than 50 percent of the equity and voting rights of the company are held by individuals who are licensed public accountants.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665309

45
posted on 05/24/2013 1:51:28 PM PDT
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

Senate Bill 364: Revise boxing and mixed martial arts regulation
Introduced by Sen. David Robertson (R) on May 16, 2013, to extend a waiver of liability for a medical professional who renders emergency care at a licensed boxing or mixed marital arts contest or event, except for gross negligence or willful and wanton misconduct.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159460

Senate Bill 365: Restrict bounced check fees
Introduced by Sen. Gretchen Whitmer (D) on May 21, 2013, to prohibit a savings bank from imposing more than one overdraft fee per day regardless of how many checks a person bounces, and mandate that this fee be charged against the smallest bounced check.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159535

Senate Bill 366: Restrict bounced check fees
Introduced by Sen. Gretchen Whitmer (D) on May 21, 2013, to prohibit a state bank from imposing more than one overdraft fee per day regardless of how many checks a person bounces, and mandate that this fee be charged against the smallest bounced check.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159536

Senate Bill 367: Revise business profits tax detail
Introduced by Sen. Jack Brandenburg (R) on May 21, 2013, to revise details of the state tax on business profits to clarify when related companies are considered an affiliated group for tax purposes.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159537

Senate Bill 368: Authorize Right to Life license plate
Introduced by Sen. Patrick Colbeck (R) on May 21, 2013, to require the Secretary of State to develop a Right to Life fund-raising license plate, with fees collected for the plate going to the Michigan Right to Life anti-abortion organization.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159538

Senate Bill 370: Require government morning after pill information campaign
Introduced by Sen. Bert Johnson (D) on May 21, 2013, to require the Department of Community Health to disseminate specified information about emergency contraceptives (the morning after pill) to the public, health care professionals and facilities, various agencies and more.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159540

Senate Bill 371: Require “comprehensive sexuality classes in public schools
Introduced by Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D) on May 21, 2013, to require public schools to offer sex education classes that include comprehensive sexuality education that is medically accurate and age-appropriate for all grade levels.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159541

Senate Bill 373: Require pharmacy best practices pilot programs
Introduced by Sen. Goeff Hansen (R) on May 21, 2013, to require the Michigan Board of Pharmacy to establish a process for the approval of up to 25 pilot projects designed to provide better pharmacy products or more efficient pharmacy services.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159543

Senate Bill 374: Create statewide school violence hotline
Introduced in the Senate on May 21, 2013, to require the Attorney General and the State Police to create a hotline manned 24 hours a day all year long to collect confidential reports of unsafe, potentially harmful, dangerous, violent, or criminal activities. These could include cell phone camera and video images. While the bill does not limit the hotline to school related threats, other parts of it require the information to be shared with local law enforcement and school officials.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159544

Senate Bill 375: Allow local holiday fireworks regulations
Introduced by Sen. Dave Hildenbrand (R) on May 22, 2013, to allow local governments to ban the use of consumer fireworks between midnight and 8:00 a.m. on the day before, day of, and day after a national holiday. The 2012 law legalizing these fireworks (which include firecrackers, bottle rockets, aerial spinners, Roman candles, etc.) essentially preempted local bans on their use during these holiday periods.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159579

Senate Bill 377: Establish animal abuse registry
Introduced by Sen. Steve Bieda (D) on May 22, 2013, to require the State Police to maintain an animal abuse registry containing the names of individuals who have been convicted of an animal abuse offense within the past five years. Like the states sex offender registry, people on this one would have to update the registry every time they move.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159581

Senate Bill 380: Revise foreclosure restrictions
Introduced by Sen. Randy Richardville (R) on May 22, 2013, to prohibit a lender from using foreclosure by advertisement of a principal residence (the most common form of foreclosure, less costly and prolonged than judicial foreclosure) if the lender complied with federal regulations regarding mortgage servicer policies and procedures, or a modification agreement had been made between the debtor and the person who lent the money (or to whom the loan was sold or transferred). The bill revises a 2009 law that imposed a mandate that lenders must give a delinquent debtor 90 days to negotiate a revision of the loan terms.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159584

Senate Bill 381: Extend foreclosure restrictions sunset
Introduced by Sen. Mike Nofs (R) on May 22, 2013, to extend until June 30, 2014 the sunset on a 2009 law that forces mortgage lenders to attempt to negotiate revisions in the terms of delinquent loans before they can proceed to a foreclosure by advertisement (instead of the more costly judicial foreclosure process). This would be the second time this temporary law has been extended.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159585

Senate Bill 383: Revise foreclosure restrictions
Introduced by Sen. Darwin Booher (R) on May 22, 2013, to reduce the foreclosure redemption period by 120 days for certain properties in which the foreclosure proceedings begin after January 9, 2014, if the mortgage servicer complied with federal regulations and procedures.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159587

Senate Bill 384: Make lottery winners pay back welfare subsidies
Introduced by Sen. John Moolenaar (R) on May 23, 2013, to require the state lottery bureau to check on whether a person who wins more than $600 in the lottery has receive welfare benefits; Senate Bill 339 would require half the winnings go toward paying back the welfare benefits.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159613

Senate Bill 385: Revise rail crossing funding detail
Introduced by Sen. John Moolenaar (R) on May 23, 2013, to establish priorities for the types of rail crossing improvement projects funded by an annual earmark of road tax money for this purpose.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159614

Senate Bill 386: Revise animal abuser ownership ban
Introduced by Sen. Rick Jones (R) on May 23, 2013, to revise a law that prohibits an individual convicted of animal abuse from owning a similar animal for five years after being sentenced, to instead extend the ban to five years after completing the sentence.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159615

Senate Bill 387: Include reserve and auxiliary law enforcement officers in workers comp
Introduced by Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R) on May 23, 2013, to expand the state workers disability compensation system to include reserve and auxiliary law enforcement officers.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159616

Senate Bill 389: Give high school diploma to Viet Nam veterans
Introduced by Sen. Judy Emmons (R) on May 23, 2013, to grant a high school diploma to veterans who did not graduate but joined the armed forces during Vietnam war.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159618

Senate Bill 390: Dont require drivers license indorsement for autocycle use
Introduced by Sen. John Moolenaar (R) on May 23, 2013, to not require a motorcycle indorsement (a drivers license category) to operate an autocycle, which is an enclosed motorcycle.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159619

Senate Bill 391: Allow electronic “proof of insurance”
Introduced by Sen. Michael Green (R) on May 23, 2013, to allow proof of insurance documents motorists are required to have when driving under the states no-fault insurance law to be an electronic communication from the insurance company.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159620

Senate Bill 392: Allow electronic “proof of insurance”
Introduced by Sen. Joe Hune (R) on May 23, 2013, to allow proof of insurance documents motorists are required to have when driving under the states no-fault insurance law to be an electronic communication from the insurance company.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159621

House Bill 4745: Clean up statute references to reflect department reorganization
Introduced by Rep. Pete Lund (R) on May 21, 2013, to revise references in the state insurance law to reflect a reorganization of regulatory functions into an agency titled the Department of Insurance and Financial Services.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159567

House Bill 4746: Create adult cyberbullying crime
Introduced by Rep. Dale W. Zorn (R) on May 21, 2013, to create a crime of cyberbullying another person, subject to 93 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. The bill defines cyberbully” as bullying through the use of a computer network, program or system, or a telecommunications system. The bill also authorizes a court to order a perpetrator to obtain mental health counseling or other treatment at his or her own expense.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159568

House Bill 4747: Designate tree frog as official state amphibian
Introduced by Rep. Patrick Somerville (R) on May 21, 2013, to establish in law that henceforth the eastern gray tree frog (Hyla versicolor) shall be designated as the official State of Michigan amphibian. Note: At present, Michigan does not have an official state amphibian. Past bills have proposed designating the northern spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) and the marbled salamander (Ambystome opacum) as the official state amphibian. Michigan does have an official state reptile, which is the painted turtle.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159569

House Bill 4748: Require semi-annual state unfunded liability estimates
Introduced by Rep. Peter MacGregor (R) on May 21, 2013, to require the twice-a-year state revenue estimating conferences at which state officials and academic economists estimate how much tax and fee revenue the state can expect to collect (and spend) in the coming year, to also require them to estimate the states unfunded liabilities. These primarily consist of defined benefit government and school employee pension plans for which the legislature has failed to set aside sufficient money to pay promised future benefits. State employees hired since 1997 receive 401(k) defined contribution benefits that create no new taxpayer liabilities, but new school employees continue to be enrolled in these underfunded pension plans and create new taxpayer liabilities.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159570

House Bill 4749: Impose licensure on midwives
Introduced by Rep. Edward McBroom (R) on May 21, 2013, to impose a state licensure mandate on midwives (as distinct from nurse midwives), including regulations and license fees.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159571

House Bill 4750: Revise electric utility debt apportionment
Introduced by Rep. Amanda Price (R) on May 21, 2013, to require large electric utilities to apply to the state Public Service Commission for permission (a financing order) to assess customers for debt service costs incurred to cover the cost of new water and pollution control equipment required by federal or state regulations. One of the limited number of commercial customers in a customer choice program (who get power produced by another provider but transmitted over the utilitys lines) could not be charged for this.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159572

House Bill 4751: Impose oral chemotherapy insurance mandate
Introduced by Rep. Gail Haines (R) on May 21, 2013, to impose a new coverage mandate that would require insurance companies to include coverage for orally administered chemotherapy in all their health insurance policies that provide for cancer chemotherapy treatments, without requiring any dollar limit, deductible or co-pay for these that does not apply to other treatments.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159573

House Bill 4752: Establish that military experience meets boiler operator requirements
Introduced by Rep. Robert Kosowski (D) on May 21, 2013, to establish that having recent and relevant military training and experience meets the criteria for obtaining a stationary steam engineers and boiler operators registration (license).http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159574

46
posted on 05/29/2013 3:12:16 AM PDT
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

House Bill 4169: Revise local board of election canvassers details
Passed 32 to 5 in the Senate on May 28, 2013, to eliminate boards of city canvassers, boards of village canvassers and boards of township canvassers, and instead just have county boards of canvassers. The primary function of these boards is to tabulate votes cast in elections.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665621

House Bill 4170: Revise local board of election canvassers details
Passed 32 to 5 in the Senate on May 28, 2013, to eliminate references in the community college act of 1966 to a board of city canvassers or board of township canvassers. Under House Bill 4169, the relevant body would become the board of county canvassers.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665622

House Bill 4171: Revise local board of election canvassers details
Passed 32 to 5 in the Senate on May 28, 2013, to eliminate city and township boards of canvassers, and instead just have county boards of canvassers. The primary function of these boards is to tabulate votes cast in elections.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665624

House Bill 4228: Appropriations: Omnibus education budget
Passed 25 to 12 in the Senate on May 29, 2013, the final version of the K-12 school aid, community college and university budgets for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, 2013. House Bill 4328 authorizes the rest of state government spending. This bill would appropriate $13.361 billion for K-12 public schools, compared to $12.944 billion the previous year; $1.430 billion for state universities, compared to $1.399 billion the previous year; and $335 million for community colleges, up from $294 million. Of these amounts, $1.861 billion is federal money, vs. $1.798 billion the previous year.
Some highlights include: A $30 per pupil “foundation allowance” increase for school districts, and $60 for ones whose allowance is at the lower end. Spending on preschool programs will increase by $65.0 million to $174.6 million. Students in grades 5 to 12 will be allowed to take up to two online courses per term. Universities would get less money if they raise tuition more than limit of 3.75 percent.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665665

House Bill 4228: Appropriations: Omnibus education budget
Passed 65 to 43 in the House on May 28, 2013, the final version of the K-12 school aid, community college and university budgets for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, 2013. House Bill 4328 authorizes the rest of state government spending. This bill would appropriate $13.361 billion for K-12 public schools, compared to $12.944 billion the previous year; $1.430 billion for state universities, compared to $1.399 billion the previous year; and $335 million for community colleges, up from $294 million. Of these amounts, $1.861 billion is federal money, vs. $1.798 billion the previous year.
Some highlights include: A $30 per pupil “foundation allowance” increase for school districts, and $60 for ones whose allowance is at the lower end. Spending on preschool programs will increase by $65.0 million to $174.6 million. Students in grades 5 to 12 will be allowed to take up to two online courses per term. Universities would get less money if they raise tuition more than limit of 3.75 percent.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665657

House Bill 4328: Appropriations: 2013-2014 omnibus budget
Passed 63 to 46 in the House on May 28, 2013, the (almost) final compromise version of the non-education portion of the state government budget for the fiscal year that begins on Oct. 1, 2013. (House Bill 4228 contains K-12 school, college and university spending.) This would appropriate $34.392 billion, compared to $34.355 billion the previous year (when interdepartmental transfers are deducted the amounts are slightly lower). Notably, the budget does not include $1.2 billion from higher transportation taxes Gov. Rick Snyder has recommended, or $1.5 billion from the federal health care laws expansion of Medicaid. It also does not permit the Department of Education to spend money on a “Common Core” curriculum initiative without explicit legislative authorization.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665686

House Bill 4743: Allow local holiday fireworks regulations
Passed 107 to 1 in the House on May 28, 2013, to allow local governments to ban the use of consumer fireworks between midnight and 8:00 a.m. on the day before, day of, and day after a national holiday (in larger communities the allowable deadline would be 1:00 a.m. on New Years). The 2012 law legalizing these fireworks (which include firecrackers, bottle rockets, aerial spinners, Roman candles, etc.) essentially preempted local bans on their use during these holiday periods.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665656

47
posted on 05/30/2013 3:44:09 AM PDT
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

Senate Bill 255: Impose building code standards on fireworks stands
Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on May 29, 2013, to clarify that state building code standards, not a National Fire Protection Association standard, would apply to a permanent building or structure used to sell fireworks, notwithstanding provisions in a 2011 fireworks law that regulated rather than banned the sale of many consumer fireworks (including firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles, etc.).
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665662

Senate Bill 327: Ban tax collector quotas
Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on May 29, 2013, to establish that Department of Treasury tax collectors and third party contractors or agents are prohibited from using tax collection amount quotas and must apply tax laws and rules equally to all taxpayers.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665663

Senate Bill 337: Revise certain tax collection procedures and deadlines
Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on May 29, 2013, to require the Department of Treasury to release a business’s known tax liability to a purchaser of the business within 30 days if the owner waives confidentiality. If the department fails to do so, the buyer would not be liable for the firm’s unpaid taxes. Also, to establish notification requirements if the department initiates an examination of a taxpayer’s records, and establish deadlines for completing this. Finally, to establish that if a claim for tax overpayment refund is not approved within one year, it can be treated as denied, and the taxpayer can appeal to the state tax tribunal or court of claims.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665664

Senate Bill 357: Revise corporation voting share detail
Passed 35 to 1 in the Senate on May 29, 2013, to revise details of when shares of a corporation are considered to be beneficially owned for purposes of exercising the voting rights associated with those shares. Specifically, the bill would establish that shares are not beneficially owned by a person unless the corporations board passes a resolution to that effect before the person acquires the share. This would raise additional barriers to a potential takeover of a firm.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665661

House Bill 4681: Repeal auctioneer registration mandate
Passed 84 to 21 in the House on May 29, 2013, to repeal a law that imposes a registration mandate on auctioneers.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665706

House Bill 4682: Repeal auctioneer registration mandate
Passed 84 to 21 in the House on May 29, 2013, to repeal a law that imposes a registration (licensure) mandate on auctioneers.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665707

House Bill 4683: Repeal auctioneer registration mandate
Passed 85 to 21 in the House on May 29, 2013, to revise references in the state liquor code to reflect the proposal in House Bills 4681 and 4682 to repeal a state registration (licensure) mandate on auctioneers.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665708

House Bill 4684: Repeal auctioneer registration mandate
Passed 85 to 21 in the House on May 29, 2013, to revise references to auctioneers in a section of the state environmental laws dealing with snowmobiles to reflect the proposal in House Bills 4681 and 4682 to repeal a state registration (licensure) mandate on auctioneers.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665709

House Bill 4705: Refund excess property tax collected by Stephenson schools on retired debt
Passed 106 to 0 in the House on May 29, 2013, to require a school district (Stephenson, in the Upper Peninsula) that collected a property tax millage for bonds that were already paid off (retired) to transfer the excess revenue collected to the state. The overcharge would then be given back to local taxpayers by reducing the amount of state education property tax on their next tax bill.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665711

House Bill 4705: Refund excess property tax collected by Stephenson schools on retired debt
Passed 36 to 0 in the Senate on May 29, 2013, to require a school district (Stephenson, in the Upper Peninsula) that collected a property tax millage for bonds that were already paid off (retired) to transfer the excess revenue collected to the state. The overcharge would then be given back to local taxpayers by reducing the amount of state education property tax on their next tax bill.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=665660

48
posted on 05/31/2013 3:22:15 AM PDT
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

Senate Joint Resolution W: Repeal homosexual marriage ban
Introduced by Sen. Rebekah Warren (D) on June 4, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a measure to repeal the 2008 state constitutional amendment establishing that the union of one man and one woman in marriage shall be the only agreement recognized as a marriage or similar union for any purpose.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159825

Senate Joint Resolution V: Call for Article V U.S. balanced budget amendment convention
Introduced by Sen. Michael Green (R) on May 23, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election an application to Congress to call an Article V constitutional convention, limited to proposing an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that prohibits the federal government from spending more in any fiscal year than it collects in tax and other revenue (balanced budget amendment). Three-quarters of the states must approve any amendment proposed by an Article V convention for it to become part of the constitution.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159612

Senate Joint Resolution U: Remove higher education from allowable School Aid Fund uses
Introduced by Sen. Gretchen Whitmer (D) on May 1, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a constitutional amendment to strip-out language currently in the Constitution of 1963 allowing tax revenue earmarked to the state School Aid Fund to be used for higher education, and school employees’ retirement systems. In other words, tax dollars earmarked to this fund could only be spend on K-12 public schools.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158964

House Joint Resolution S: Lengthen term limits
Introduced by Rep. Andy Schor (D) on April 30, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a Constitutional amendment to extend the term limits of state representatives and senators, allowing the former up to six terms of two-years each, and the latter up to three terms of four years each. Currently, representatives may only have three two-year terms, and senators two four-year terms. Term limits on legislators and state officers were adopted by a 59-41 percent vote of the people in 1992. The measure would also impose a two-year moratorium on lobbying by a former member of the Michigan House or Senate.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158960

Senate Joint Resolution T: Make state commissioner of insurance an elected position
Introduced by Sen. Virgil Smith, Jr. (D) on April 23, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a constitutional amendment to make the state commissioner of insurance an elected position.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158754

Senate Joint Resolution R: Ban for-profit charter school operators
Introduced by Sen. Rebekah Warren (D) on April 10, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a Constitutional amendment to prohibit charter school boards from contracting with for-profit companies to manage the school.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158366

House Joint Resolution Q: Limit referendum on appropriations ban
Introduced by Rep. Jim Townsend (D) on April 9, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a constitutional amendment to revise the current prohibition on citizen referendums challenging bills that contain an appropriation. The measure would establish that the ban only applies to bills that substantially fund one or more state departments, or which are needed close current state budget shortfalls. A 2001 Supreme Court ruling interpreted the provision to prohibit referendums on any bill containing an appropriation. In several instances since then, the legislature has deliberately added modest appropriations to controversial bills which, without the appropriation, would likely have been challenged by a referendum. The Constitution gives citizens the right to halt the implementation of a new law by submitting petitions signed by five percent of the total vote cast for all candidates for governor at the last gubernatorial election, within 90 days of the end of an annual legislative session. When this happens, the new law does not go into effect unless it is approved by a majority in the next general election.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158353

House Joint Resolution R: Dock pay of missing legislators
Introduced by Rep. Adam Zemke (D) on April 9, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a Constitutional amendment to give the state House and Senate the authority to dock the pay of members who miss 10 or more session days (unless their colleagues vote to give them an excused absence). Note: This web site contains a Missed Votes Report that shows the number of roll call votes missed by each current legislator, and a link to a list of the particular votes. The missed votes for past legislators can be looked up on the advanced searches page.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=158354

House Joint Resolution O: Impose restrictions on corporate political communication
Introduced by Rep. Collene Lamonte (D) on March 12, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a constitutional amendment adding an 1,800 word regulatory regime restricting political spending by both business and nonprofit corporations (including nonprofit groups motivated by ideological or political concerns), but not by unions. Among other things this would mandate detailed reports filed electronically within 48 hours of any lobbying or campaign communication, with violations subject to criminal penalties.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=157218

House Joint Resolution P: Require legislative candidates live in district before filing
Introduced by Rep. Winnie Brinks (D) on March 12, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a constitutional amendment requiring candidates for the legislature to live in the district they seek to represent at least 60 days before the candidate filing deadline.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=157219

Senate Joint Resolution Q: Allow NRTC funds for state forest logging roads
Introduced by Sen. Tom Casperson (R) on March 7, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a Constitutional amendment to revise the rules for use of the money in the Natural Resources Trust Fund. The trust fund receives money from oil, gas, and mineral royalties and leases on state-owned lands and uses this for land acquisitions, and conservation and recreation projects. The bill would allow the money to also be used to develop and maintain road infrastructure for natural-resource based industries including timber and mining, for waterways infrastructure including breakwaters and dredging, and to make payments in lieu of property tax to local governments with state property in their jurisdiction.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=156880

House Joint Resolution N: Require in-state tuition at universities for all veterans
Introduced by Rep. Jim Stamas (R) on March 7, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a Constitutional amendment to require public universities to offer in-state tuition rates to all honorably discharged veterans.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=156932

Senate Joint Resolution P: Retain winner take all state electoral college votes
Introduced by Sen. Steve Bieda (D) on March 6, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election an Constitutional amendment to establish that the candidates for president and vice president who received the most Michigan votes shall be considered the ones elected by this state. This would preempt various proposals to divide the states electoral college votes (rather than winner take all).http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=156644

Senate Joint Resolution O: Increase number of department managers governor can appoint
Introduced by Sen. David Robertson (R) on March 5, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a Constitutional amendment to increase the number of state employees a governor can hire, as opposed to those who are permanent civil service employees. Under the current constitution, a governor can appoint a maximum of six persons to each state department, including the director. The measure would allow up to 1 percent of the employees in each department to be appointed by the governor.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=156533

House Joint Resolution L: Require in-state tuition at universities for all military
Introduced by Rep. David Knezek (D) on February 28, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a Constitutional amendment to require public universities to offer in-state tuition rates to all active duty members of the military, reservists and veterans.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155921

House Joint Resolution M: Require in-state tuition at community for all military
Introduced by Rep. David Knezek (D) on February 28, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a Constitutional amendment to require community colleges to offer in-state tuition rates to all active duty members of the military, reservists and veterans.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155922

Senate Joint Resolution M: Sunset all tax breaks after four years
Introduced by Sen. Vincent Gregory (D) on February 27, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a constitutional amendment to require a four-year sunset be included in any bill to increase or create a new tax exemption or tax credit that have the effect of reducing tax revenue. Presumably this could apply to both targeted corporate welfare type tax breaks (or cash subsidies styled as refundable tax credits) and general exemptions or credits available to any individual or business, not just those selected by local or state economic development bureaucracies.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155879

Senate Joint Resolution N: Lengthen legislative term limits
Introduced by Sen. Mark Jansen (R) on February 27, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a Constitutional amendment to extend legislative term limits to 12 years in any combination of House or Senate terms. Under Michigans current term limits representatives may only get three terms of two-years each, and senators may only get two terms of four-years each.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=155880

House Joint Resolution K: Place right to hunt and fish in constitution
Introduced by Rep. Bruce Rendon (R) on February 12, 2013, to place before voters in the next general election a constitutional amendment to establish that the people have the right to hunt and fish, and to harvest game and fish.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=154264

Senate Bill 394: Ban DEQ imposing groundwater discharge sodium limits
Introduced by Sen. Joe Hune (R) on May 28, 2013, to prohibit the Department of Environmental Quality from imposing limitations on the amount of sodium in groundwater discharges allowed under state water pollution regulations.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159674

Senate Bill 395: Create more exceptions to cap on government/school employee insurance costs
Introduced by Sen. Bruce Caswell (R) on May 28, 2013, to cap on government/school employee insurance costs to exclude various insurance costs from the cap imposed by a 2011 law on the cost of government and school employee health insurance fringe benefits, which would allow local governments and schools to provide more generous benefits than that law would otherwise allow. See also Senate Bill 323, which would have the same effect.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159675

Senate Bill 396: Expand ban on replacement construction assessment hikes
Introduced by Sen. Tom Casperson (R) on May 29, 2013, to revise a provision prohibiting property tax assessment increases on construction that replaces parts of a structure damaged by accident or an act of God, so that the cap also applies to value-increasing improvements required to meet current health, sanitary, zoning, safety, fire, or construction codes and ordinances.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159680

Senate Bill 397: Expand another corporate/developer subsidy regime
Introduced by Sen. Bruce Caswell (R) on May 29, 2013, to authorize creation of a sixth Next Michigan Development Corporation, which is a government agency that gives tax breaks and subsidies to particular corporations or developers selected by political appointees on the entity’s board for projects meeting extremely broad “multi-modal commerce” criteria (basically, any form of goods-related commerce).http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159681

Senate Bill 398: Expand another corporate/developer subsidy regime
Introduced by Sen. Bruce Caswell (R) on May 29, 2013, to authorize creation of a sixth Next Michigan Development Corporation, which is a government agency that gives tax breaks and subsidies to particular corporations or developers selected by political appointees on the entity’s board for projects meeting extremely broad “multi-modal commerce” criteria (basically, any form of goods-related commerce).http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159682

Senate Bill 399: Impose harmful chemicals regulatory regime
Introduced by Sen. Rebekah Warren (D) on May 29, 2013, to require the Department of Community Health and the Department of Environmental Quality to identify and post on a website a list of potentially dangerous or harmful chemicals that may be found in household products or dust, including substances whose presence in childrens products would trigger the regulatory regime proposed by Senate Bill 400. The bill would authorize hiring an additional 1.5 full time equivalent government employees to do the work.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159683

Senate Bill 400: Impose childrens products regulatory regime
Introduced by Sen. Rebekah Warren (D) on May 29, 2013, to require manufacturers and distributors of childrens products that contain substances deemed harmful by the Department of Environment Quality to submit detailed annual reports to the state regarding the products and the chemicals in them. The bill contains various exceptions and authorizes penalties of up to $150,000.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159684

Senate Bill 401: Insulate DIA art collection from federal bankruptcy liquidation
Introduced by Sen. Randy Richardville (R) on May 29, 2013, to require art institutes in the state to adopt a code of ethics for museums published by the American Alliance of Museums. Reportedly this is a means of insulating the Detroit Institute of Arts collection from being sold off should the city file for bankruptcy in federal court.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159685

House Bill 4774: Impose state permit/license mandate on all private gun purchases
Introduced by Rep. Jim Townsend (D) on May 28, 2013, to expand to all gun purchases, including rifles and shotguns, a state pistol purchase license mandate. This pistol permit regulatory regime was repealed for purchases from licensed gun dealers by a 2012 law, but still applies to private person-to-person sales. The bill is co-sponsored by 18 other Democratic representatives.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159687

House Bill 4775: Allow residents to protest assessment hikes by letter
Introduced by Rep. Jim Townsend (D) on May 28, 2013, to allow resident property owners to protest a property tax assessment increase by letter during the one-week annual window for such protests each March. Under current law, non-residents may protest by letter but residents must show up in person.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159688

House Bill 4776: Impose state permit/license mandate on all private gun purchases
Introduced by Rep. Jim Townsend (D) on May 28, 2013, to revise references in the state penal code to reflect the firearms purchase permit/license regime proposed by House Bill 4774.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159689

House Bill 4777: Mandate employers give leave to departing military family member
Introduced by Rep. Theresa Abed (D) on May 28, 2013, to mandate that employers grant 20 work-days of leave (160 hours) to a member of the U.S. military reserves or national guard called to active duty during a period of military conflict, and the same for the spouse of a service member called to duty. The bill does not mandate the leave be with-pay, but does mandate a continuation of fringe benefits during the leave time.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159690

House Bill 4779: Repeal obsolete school code provisions
Introduced by Rep. Ray Franz (R) on May 28, 2013, to repeal a 1977 law that required the state Board of Education to promulgate rules concerning (student) personality tests  and also repeal another law requiring school districts that provide specified auxiliary services to offer the same services to students at nonpublic schools (including services like health care, crossing guards, speech and language assistance, school social work, remedial reading and more).http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159692

House Bill 4780: Revise village election cost allocation
Introduced by Rep. Bill LaVoy (D) on May 28, 2013, to establish that if a village’s regular or special election is held in conjunction with another election conducted by a township, the village only has to pay a proportionate share of the costs, but if it is not then the village must pay the township 100 percent of the costs of conducting election.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159693

House Bill 4781: Revise motorcycle learners permit detail
Introduced by Rep. Bradford Jacobsen (R) on May 29, 2013, to revise details of a motorcycle operators license learners permit, which applies to license applicants who have not yet passed a motorcycle skills test and have not taken an optional safety course. Under current law the 180-day learners permit only allows riding under the supervision of a person who has a regular motorcycle license (indorsement). The bill would prohibit more than two such learners permits in a 10-year period.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159694

House Bill 4782: Expand another corporate/developer subsidy regime
Introduced by Rep. John Kivela (D) on May 29, 2013, to authorize creation of a sixth Next Michigan Development Corporation, which is a government agency that gives tax breaks and subsidies to particular corporations or developers selected by political appointees on the entity’s board for projects meeting extremely broad “multi-modal commerce” criteria (basically, any form of goods-related commerce).http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159695

House Bill 4783: Expand another corporate/developer subsidy regime
Introduced by Rep. Edward McBroom (R) on May 29, 2013, to authorize creation of a sixth Next Michigan Development Corporation, which is a government agency that gives tax breaks and subsidies to particular corporations or developers selected by political appointees on the entity’s board for projects meeting extremely broad “multi-modal commerce” criteria (basically, any form of goods-related commerce).http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159696

House Bill 4784: Revise teacher certification criteria
Introduced by Rep. Robert Genetski (R) on May 29, 2013, to require the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public instruction to recognize accounting and writing as subject matter fields pertinent to teaching for purposes related to the issuance of a teaching certificate and subject area endorsement.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159697

House Bill 4785: Increase ambulance and related fees
Introduced by Rep. Matt Lori (R) on May 29, 2013, to authorize or increase various fees and fines related to ambulances, life support vehicles, local emergency medical service authorities, etc.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159698

House Bill 4786: Increase vital records fees
Introduced by Rep. Matt Lori (R) on May 29, 2013, to increase the fees for obtaining copies of vital records such as birth and death certificates. The fee increases range from $4 to $18 per record, and the bill also authorizes an extra $25 fee for expedited service.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159699

House Bill 4787: Increase CON health facility rationing fees
Introduced by Rep. Matt Lori (R) on May 29, 2013, to increase from $1,500 to $3,000 the base fee for a hospital or other health care providers seeking government permission under a state Certificate of Need rationing regime to open or expand a health care facility, or to add certain capital-intensive equipment (like MRIs). The bill would also authorize additional fees of $12,000 for large projects, $3,000 for complex projects, $500 for letter of intent reviews, and more. These fees would then be indexed to inflation so that legislative authorization would not be required for future fee hikes.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159700

House Bill 4789: Replace existing home heating welfare program with new one
Introduced by Rep. Aric Nesbitt (R) on May 29, 2013, to create a new home heating welfare subsidy program, which would redistribute up to $60 million annually from customer surcharges on electricity bills. This would replace an existing program.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159702

House Bill 4790: Transfer Detroit water and sewer system to regional alliance
Introduced by Rep. Kurt Heise (R) on May 29, 2013, to transfer governance of the Detroit water and sewer system to a regional alliance controlled by a nine-member board with three members from Detroit, three appointed by the governor (two of these from outside Detroit), and one each by the Wayne, Oakland and Macomb county executives. House Bill 4791 would give the state Public Service Commission the power to regulate the entitys rates and fees.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159703

House Bill 4791: Give state PSC oversight over city water/sewer systems
Introduced by Rep. Kurt Heise (R) on May 29, 2013, to extend the jurisdiction of the state Public Service Commission to include regulating the rates and fees of the Detroit water and sewer system. See also House Bill 4790.http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=159704

49
posted on 06/05/2013 3:11:10 AM PDT
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

Senate Bill 173: Ban local mandates that private employers must grant leave
Passed 25 to 13 in the Senate on June 5, 2013, to preempt local governments from adopting ordinances or policies that require private sector employers to provide paid or unpaid employee leave that is not required under state or federal law.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=666318

Senate Bill 235: Revise state-approved fire safety system inspector detail
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on June 5, 2013, to allow a person certified by the National Fire Protection Association or the International Code Council to be registered as a state-approved fire safety system inspector and plan reviewer.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=666316

Senate Bill 265: Exempt test cars from regional transit tax
Passed 36 to 2 in the Senate on June 4, 2013, to exempt automaker test vehicles from the regional mass transit vehicle registration tax authorized by a 2012 law.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=666184

Senate Bill 390: Dont require drivers license indorsement for autocycle use
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on June 5, 2013, to not require a motorcycle indorsement (a drivers license category) to operate an autocycle, which is an enclosed motorcycle. Also, to revise fees the Secretary of State can charge for a “commercial look-up” service, and authorize contracting with a private company to provide this service.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=666319

House Bill 4328: Appropriations: 2013-2014 omnibus budget
Passed 24 to 14 in the Senate on June 4, 2013, the final version of the non-education portion of the state government budget for the fiscal year that begins on Oct. 1, 2013. This would appropriate $34.392 billion, compared to $34.355 billion the previous year. (When interdepartmental transfers are deducted the amounts are slightly lower.) Notably, the budget does not include $1.2 billion from higher transportation taxes Gov. Rick Snyder has recommended, or $1.5 billion from the federal health care laws expansion of Medicaid. It also does not permit the Department of Education to spend money on a “Common Core” curriculum initiative without explicit legislative authorization.
When amounts appropriated for education are added (see House Bill 4228), the state budget for the next fiscal year will be $49.520 billion, of which $19.331 billion is federal money. Total state spending from state taxes, fees, fines, etc. will be $30.189 billion, a 3.9 percent increase over the previous year.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=666183

House Bill 4355: Revise condominium audit standards
Passed 108 to 1 in the House on June 5, 2013, to allow a majority of a condominium association’s members to choose not to obtain an annual audit if the association has annual revenues of less than $20,000, and instead only require that a certified public accountant review the books.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=666378

House Bill 4360: Authorize sanctions for accepting welfare bridge card for liquor sale
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on June 4, 2013, to suspend or revoke the liquor license of a store or bar that allows a person to use a welfare or food stamp bridge card to buy liquor or other non-eligible merchandise.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=666185

House Bill 4361: Authorize sanctions for accepting welfare bridge card lottery ticket sale
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on June 4, 2013, to suspend or revoke the state lottery sales license of a merchant who allows a person to use a welfare or food stamp bridge card to buy a lottery ticket.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=666186

House Bill 4646: Revise child adoption/placement details
Passed 100 to 9 in the House on June 4, 2013, to authorize and specify procedures under which a parent could execute an out-of-court consent to an adoption after the child’s birth. This is part of a legislative package designed to speed-up the adoption process, including reducing the time a birth-parent has to change his or her mind.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=666244

House Bill 4647: Revise child adoption/placement details
Passed 103 to 6 in the House on June 4, 2013, to establish that three months after formal an adoption placement of adoptee who is less than one year old, a court could enter an order of adoption, unless it determined that circumstances had arisen that make adoption undesirable. This is part of a legislative package designed to speed-up the adoption process, including reducing the time a birth-parent has to change his or her mind.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=666245

House Bill 4648: Revise child adoption/placement details
Passed 98 to 11 in the House on June 4, 2013, to revise details of a law that describes when parental rights can be terminated and when they cannot, so as to establish procedures for when the parental rights of a mother have not been officially terminated, and the court finds that the best interest of the child would be served by granting custody to the putative father. This is part of a legislative package designed to speed-up the adoption process, including reducing the time a birth-parent has to change his or her mind.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=666246

House Bill 4659: Revise out-of-wedlock paternity provisions
Passed 99 to 10 in the House on June 4, 2013, This is part of a legislative package designed to speed-up the adoption process, including reducing the time a birth-parent has to change his or her mind. This is part of a legislative package designed to speed-up the adoption process, including reducing the time a birth-parent has to change his or her mind.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=666247

House Bill 4660: Revise out-of-wedlock paternity provisions
Passed 97 to 12 in the House on June 4, 2013, to establish that if a child is born out of wedlock and the biological father has registered with the responsible father registry proposed by House Bill 4659, the child may not be placed for adoption until the parental rights of the father are officially terminated by a court. This is part of a legislative package designed to speed-up the adoption process, including reducing the time a birth-parent has to change his or her mind.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=666248

House Bill 4661: Revise out-of-wedlock paternity provisions
Passed 96 to 13 in the House on June 4, 2013, to require the biological father of a child is born out of wedlock to have registered with the responsible father registry proposed by House Bill 4659 in order to receive notice of an adoption or termination of parental rights proceeding. This would replace current provisions requiring a putative father to have filed a notice of intent to claim paternity. This is part of a legislative package designed to speed-up the adoption process, including reducing the time a birth-parent has to change his or her mind.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=666249

House Bill 4662: Revise out-of-wedlock paternity provisions
Passed 96 to 13 in the House on June 4, 2013, to establish that if a court is notified that the person whom it determines to be the father of a child born out of wedlock has not filed with the responsible father registry proposed by House Bill 4659 in a timely manner, it may permanently terminate the putative father’s parental rights. This is part of a legislative package designed to speed-up the adoption process, including reducing the time a birth-parent has to change his or her mind.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=666250

House Bill 4663: Increase allowable agricultural preservation fund admin spending
Passed 102 to 7 in the House on June 5, 2013, to increase from $900,000 to $1.4 million the maximum amount that can be spent each year for the administrative expenses of the state agricultural preservation fund, and index this to inflation going forward.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=666380

House Bill 4664: Allow pension double-dipping by some retired prison workers
Passed 58 to 51 in the House on June 5, 2013, to repeal a Sept. 30, 2013 sunset on a 2012 law that temporarily allowed retired prison employees to simultaneously collect pension benefits and a paycheck for going back to work in a prison. Under current law, prison guards can retire and begin collecting pension checks as young as age 51 in some cases.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=666381

House Bill 4665: Extend temporary landfill tipping fee increase
Passed 62 to 47 in the House on June 5, 2013, to extend until Sept. 30, 2015 a temporary increase from 7 cents to 12 cents on the per-cubic yard state tipping fee tax imposed on dumping in landfills, which was authorized by a 2011 law.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=666382

House Bill 4666: Extend temporary environmental permit fee increases
Passed 73 to 36 in the House on June 5, 2013, to extend until Sept. 30, 2015 temporary increases authorized in 2011 for various permit fees mandated by the state environmental protection law.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=666385

House Bill 4668: Increase hunting and fishing license fees
Passed 77 to 32 in the House on June 5, 2013, To revise the structure of hunting and fishing license fees in a manner that would increase license fees for most sportsmen. For example, the cost for a resident to hunt deer would go from $15 to $31, and the minimum fishing license cost would increase from $15 to $26. The House Fiscal Agency reports this would extract an additional $19.7 million annually from sportsmen. For details on specific licenses see their analysis.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=666383

House Bill 4669: Increase annual ORV tax
Passed 70 to 39 in the House on June 5, 2013, to increase the annual off road vehicle license tax from $16.25 to $26.25 for a license that does not authorize operation on state ORV trails, and $36.25 for one that does.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=666384

House Bill 4670: Increase state disaster fund deposits
Passed 109 to 0 in the House on June 5, 2013, to require the legislature to annually appropriate enough money to maintain a balance of between $1 million and $8.5 million in a state disaster and emergency contingency fund; current statute requires between $30,000 and $750,000.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=666387

House Bill 4671: Earmark cell phone 9-1-1 tax to administration
Passed 102 to 7 in the House on June 5, 2013, to permanently earmark $150,000 from a 9-1-1 service mobile phone provider tax to the Department of Treasury for administration of this tax.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=666388

House Bill 4708: Revise hazardous material regulatory regime detail
Passed 73 to 36 in the House on June 5, 2013, to replace one state fund created to hold and disburse fee and fine revenue related to hazardous material permit mandates and regulations with another state fund.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=666386

House Bill 4732: Exempt roadside farm stands from building permit mandates
Passed 109 to 0 in the House on June 5, 2013, to exempt roadside farm stands from building code regulations and permit requirements. Specifically, to establish that they need not have plumbing and electricity.
See Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” at http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=666377

50
posted on 06/07/2013 3:03:47 AM PDT
by cripplecreek
(REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)

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